Iran Protests: Tehran Professor Discusses Foreign Intervention, Economic Woes, and US Policy

• Anti-government protests in Iran have escalated since December 28, with over 2,000 deaths reported as of Tuesday.
• The protests began due to a sharp decline in the Iranian rial's value and wider calls for political change, with slogans against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
• Seyed Emamian, a professor at Tehran Polytechnic University, states protests stem from "legitimate points" but are complicated by "foreign intervention" from countries like Israel and the US.
• Emamian believes Iran is unlikely to face Venezuela's fate due to its geographical location, historical resilience, and culturally rooted society.
• He highlights Iran's warming ties with Russia and China as a response to US unilateralism and sees India's BRICS presidency as an opportunity for balance.

Why It Matters: Iran faces escalating protests driven by economic hardship and foreign intervention, but its unique context may prevent a Venezuela-like outcome.