Iran Edges Closer to a Revolution That Would Reshape the World
If the uprising succeeds in toppling the Islamic Republic, it would upend global geopolitics and energy markets — with the risk of widespread chaos.
Protesters in Tehran on Jan. 9.
Photographer: MAHSA/AFP/Getty Images
As protesters pour into the streets of Iran night after night, leaders across the region and around the world are grappling with the possibility that the Islamic Republic is overthrown — a seminal event that would transform global geopolitics and energy markets.
The regime of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has weathered bouts of protests many times, but demonstrations that began two weeks ago are spreading. By some accounts, hundreds of thousands of people defied authorities’ threats and a brutal crackdown to take to the streets over the weekend, from the capital Tehran to dozens of other cities across the nation of 90 million. They are being cheered on by President Donald Trump, fresh off the capture of Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro. The US leader has in recent days repeatedly threatened to strike Iran, suggesting America is back in the regime change business.