More than a week of protests in Iran reflects not only worsening economic conditions, but longstanding anger at government repression and regime policies that have led to Iran’s global isolation. Regime security forces have thus far failed to quell the unrest with limited use of violence, but leaders have signaled they will again use massive armed force if necessary against protesters. Regional leaders assess that a collapse of the regime, although unlikely, would usher in a long period of instability in Iran, but also lessen the threat posed by Tehran to other regional and global actors. President Trump has threatened to intervene directly to support the protests, an unprecedented U.S. stance which might embolden demonstrators or, alternatively, discredit them as U.S. puppets.
Eruption of Iran Unrest Scrambles U.S. and Regional Calculations – The Soufan Center
