Eye For Iran

The war against the Islamic Republic may be entering a new phase after Israeli drone strikes targeted Basij checkpoints in Tehran. The Basij — a paramilitary force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) — has long been responsible for carrying out repression and violently suppressing protests across Iran. In this episode of Eye for Iran, John Hannah, who served in senior foreign policy positions for both Democratic and Republican administrations, including as former Vice President Dick Cheney’s National Security Advisor from 2005–2009 and Deputy National Security Advisor for the Middle East from 2001–2005, explains why these strikes could mark a turning point that may weaken the regime’s ability to control the streets and potentially shift the balance in favor of the Iranian people.Meanwhile, Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has yet to appear publicly. Instead, his first communication reportedly came in the form of a written message rather than a video statement — raising new questions about who is truly in charge. A panel of experts, including historian Shahram Kholdi, former U.S. government appointee Shayan Samii, and former Israeli intelligence official Avi Melamed, analyzes what the message said and what it may reveal about the power struggle inside the regime.Finally, actress and producer Tara Grammy shares messages from inside Tehran, describing how many Iranians are experiencing the war — and why some say decades of repression have reshaped how they view danger, and hope for change.Contents for this video: 00:00 Introduction02:19 John Hannah: Basij checkpoints hit in Tehran03:10 John Hannah: Could this fracture the regime?05:08 John Hannah: Is this phase two of the war?07:42 John Hannah: Can the opposition seize the moment?09:32 John Hannah: When is it safe for Iranians to rise up?11:00 John Hannah: What does regime change mean?12:54 John Hannah: FBI warning and retaliation fears14:34 John Hannah: Was wider escalation inevitable?16:10 John Hannah: Military success vs political success17:49 John Hannah: Is this also about China?20:51 John Hannah: Message to the axis of aggressors23:11 John Hannah: How long can the regime survive?25:00 John Hannah: Advice to Trump30:01 Shahram Kholdi, Shayan Samii and Avi Melamed join30:15 Shahram Kholdi: Where is Mojtaba Khamenei?33:57 Avi Melamed: Who is really in charge?35:14 Shayan Samii: Who is Mojtaba Khamenei?39:24 Shahram Kholdi: What did the alleged message say?47:23 Avi Melamed: What is Israel’s endgame?53:44 Shayan Samii: Mojtaba’s message and what it means58:12 Shahram Kholdi: Is the IRGC running the show?01:03:58 Avi Melamed: What Mojtaba’s silence suggests01:06:45 Tara Grammy joins Eye for Iran01:07:30 Tara Grammy: Why some Iranians cheer the bombs01:08:56 Tara Grammy: Threat normalization and trauma01:13:02 Tara Grammy: Why outsiders do not understand01:17:19 Tara Grammy: A 1% chance at freedom01:18:34 Tara Grammy: The bombs and the regime01:20:14 Tara Grammy: Voices from inside Iran01:21:52 Tara Grammy: January 8 and 9 changed everything01:24:44 Tara Grammy: The role of the diaspora01:26:55 Tara Grammy: The message from inside Iran — regime change01:28:33 Tara Grammy: Shoot-to-kill orders and hospital killings01:30:35 Tara Grammy: Why the world ignores the massacre01:32:18 Tara Grammy: What the West should be talking about01:33:06 Outro#Iran #IranWar #IranProtests #IranRegime #IslamicRepublic #IRGC#Basij #news #podcast #youtube #shorts

Senator Ted Cruz joins Eye for Iran as the United States and Israel intensify their campaign against the Islamic Republic. In this episode, Cruz lays out what he sees as the objective of the war, whether regime change is now on the horizon, what victory would look like, and whether limited U.S. ground engagement is possible.Host Negar Mojtahedi also speaks with Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, about possible endgame scenarios, and also taking a deeper look at Mojtaba Khamenei, the man now in charge of the Islamic Republic.From Israel, journalist and defense analyst Yaakov Katz joins the program to discuss daily life under missile fire, Israel’s military coordination with the United States, how this war is reshaping the Middle East, and why many Israelis see the freedom of the Iranian people as central to the region’s future.Chapters: 00:00 Ted Cruz: “The objective is to remove the regime from power”00:34 War with Iran: what victory could look like01:38 Senator Ted Cruz: What are the next steps in the war04:18 Does victory mean regime change in Iran05:58 Who could lead Iran after the regime07:35 How the Iranian regime could collapse from within11:21 Could the U.S. deploy limited ground forces14:45 Ted Cruz on Kurds and arming protesters19:35 Mark Dubowitz: Endgame scenarios for Iran33:00 Yaakov Katz: Life inside Israel during the war42:43 Did Iran make a catastrophic strategic miscalculation#iran #war #trump #israel #usa #middleeast #news #podcast #youtube #shorts #usisraeliran #tedcruz

"Your time is up.”A senior European lawmaker from Malta delivers a direct message to Tehran on this episode of Eye for Iran. Daniel Attard — Member of the European Parliament and Vice-Chair of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with Iran — calls for tougher action against the Islamic Republic following its deadly crackdown on protesters, urging Europe to expel Iranian diplomats, halt trade, and increase pressure on the regime while standing firmly with the Iranian people.“The time for negotiation is over. We must match the courage of the people of Iran,” Attard tells Eye for Iran, arguing that the European Union must support Iran’s opposition — not its oppressors — and act when a regime turns its violence against its own citizens.We then break down President Donald Trump’s State of the Union warning about Iran’s expanding ballistic missile program and the implications of ongoing Geneva talks. Joining the panel are Janatan Sayeh, Research Analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD); Shayan Sami’i, national security analyst and former U.S. government appointee; and Shahram Kholdi, international security and law analyst and Middle East historian. The panel examines whether Washington’s shifting rhetoric signals a turning point in U.S. policy toward Iran.Finally, we present our joint Iran International–Free Press investigation with Jay Solomon, investigative reporter at The Free Press, uncovering how the Islamic Republic built and spread a coordinated disinformation campaign blaming a CIA-Mossad conspiracy for what was in fact a homegrown uprising. Using digital forensic analysis and investigative reporting, the investigation traces how Tehran’s narrative spread globally and helped obscure accountability for the January massacre.Contents of this video: 00:00 “Your time is up” — EU message to Tehran00:10 What’s coming up on Eye for Iran (EU action, Trump, Geneva, investigation)00:02:29 Interview begins: Daniel Attard (EU Parliament)00:03:04 R2P: “Sovereignty can’t be a shield”00:04:26 “No more business as usual” — halt trade, shut embassies00:05:37 Geneva talks: why Attard says negotiations must end00:06:28 What the EU should do now: sanctions, IRGC, accountability00:07:41 Why IRGC designation took so long + closing embassies00:09:06 Will Europe actually expel diplomats and cut ties?00:10:22 Attard’s message to Iranians: “Your courage is seen”00:11:11 Attard to the regime: “Your time is up” (again)00:11:25 Trump’s missile warning: what it means for Europe00:13:34 The human toll: Attard reacts emotionally to images of the killings00:16:01 Panel begins: Trump’s tone + Geneva talks (Sayeh, Sami’i, Kholdi)00:17:30 Is this a prelude to war? 3 pillars: nukes, missiles, human rights00:19:21 Tehran’s reaction + rebuild after the “12-day war”00:23:39 What is Washington waiting for? legitimacy vs. delay00:26:09 How long can this go on? signs of escalation00:28:11 Next steps: deterrence, force posture, and consequences00:32:14 Is there bipartisan consent? avoiding Iraq/Afghanistan mistakes00:35:27 Investigation segment begins: the CIA/Mossad disinfo lie (Jay Solomon)00:36:04 When it became a coordinated information operation00:38:19 The “TikTok” version: how Tehran seeded the narrative before the massacre00:40:01 Western influencers + the far-left/far-right convergence00:41:22 Bots and amplification: Russia-linked networks + inauthentic traffic00:43:31 Why accountability vanished: how disinfo buried the massacre00:44:46 Mossad/Pompeo posts: how the regime weaponized them00:47:00 What Tehran might do next if strikes happen: incitement + hybrid warfare00:49:48 Why the world didn’t respond: blackout + parallel narrative toolkit00:51:34 Jay’s biggest worry: collapse of verified media, rise of paid narratives00:53:04 Outro + newsletter plug#iran #irannews #iranpodcast #iranrevolution #israel #usa #trump #eu #youtube #youtubeshorts #news #eyeforiran #politics #shorts

Seventeen-year-old Sam Afshari was wounded during Iran’s January protests and taken to a hospital in Karaj, where doctors were trying to save his life. According to his father, Parviz Afshari, security forces entered the room while a breathing tube was still in his mouth — and fired a final, fatal shot.On this episode of Eye for Iran, we speak with Sam’s father, who is now calling for justice — and for the end of the Islamic Republic — after his son was killed following detention during the nationwide crackdown that left tens of thousands dead.Then, as Iranian officials prepare to appear before United Nations human rights bodies in Geneva, UN Watch Executive Director Hillel Neuer calls for a diplomatic walkout and accountability for the regime’s actions.And as a reported end-of-February nuclear deadline approaches, threats escalate from Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and military deployments intensify — including the arrival of the USS Ford carrier strike group. Is diplomacy running out of time? Is war now imminent?Featuring analysis from Dr. Casey Babb, Director at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute; Peter Roff, Contributing Editor at Newsweek; and Adelle Nazarian, Senior Fellow at the Gold Institute for International Strategy.#iran #iranprotests #unitednations #war #usa

A high stakes week in Washington raises one question: are we watching “good cop bad cop” diplomacy that is really a prelude to military strikes on the Islamic Republic? After President Donald Trump meets Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US military deployments intensify, Dr. Eric Mandel, founder and director of MEPIN (Middle East Political and Information Network), and Ambassador John Craig, a former American diplomat, unpack the pressure campaign on Tehran, the tight circle around Trump and why one guest calls this moment a prequel to military action.Then the human reality behind the geopolitics. Mina, speaking from Germany with her identity protected, shares what she is hearing from inside Iran after the January 8 and 9 killings, including the story of slain protester Hamid Reza Najari and two imprisoned brothers. She describes a level of desperation many outside Iran struggle to grasp: people monitor air traffic every night hoping intervention is coming because they feel they have no way left to fight a brutal state with empty hands.Finally, former UK ambassador to Saudi Arabia Sir John Jenkins explains the Persian Gulf states’ private calculations. Many would like Iran to change but fear the consequences of sudden collapse, regional spillover and unpredictable escalation. What are Iran’s neighbors quietly preparing for and how might their interests shape Washington’s next move?Contents for this video:00:00:00 Opening montage: Iran’s uprising, deaths, desperate pleas00:00:59 The geopolitics shaping what comes next, Iran’s Arab neighbors, Sir John Jenkins00:02:19 Interview begins, how Gulf states are reading Tehran after the massacre00:05:49 The Gulf’s priority: avoiding open-ended conflict, Vision 2030 anxiety00:09:22 Transitional government talk, referendum idea, Iran as a potential economic giant00:13:18 Regional map: Israel, UAE, Jordan, Turkey, post-Oct 7 alignments00:18:44 A new order or a new disorder, keeping Iran weak vs fearing collapse00:19:36 Who sways Trump, personalized White House, Netanyahu factor, military options00:23:36 Soleimani and “performative” retaliation, why escalation fears may be overblown00:25:55 Turkey, Syria, Kurds, and why Ankara fears a powerful Iran00:36:18 Europe’s role, IRGC networks, snapback, money flows, hostile state activity00:39:57 Strait of Hormuz, can Iran really close it, China’s interests, mining scenario00:42:41 Jenkins final thoughts, hope for peaceful regime change00:43:05 Voices from inside Iran: Mina’s testimony, slain protester and imprisoned brothers00:43:54 Hamid Reza Najari killed, family misled, body returned after 20 days00:47:09 Why they protested: a future without the Islamic Republic, chants and hope00:48:28 Damun and Yashar arrested, fear of silence, families under pressure00:52:17 The mood inside Iran: “last battle,” nationwide despair, duty to amplify00:54:11 Munich protests and hope, people inside Iran tracking turnout and weather00:57:24 Why some plead for intervention, “watching air traffic,” the desperation point00:59:50 The victims’ lives, “normal life” stolen, why none will be the same00:01:01:33 Mina’s final message: use freedom outside Iran, stay loud, stay united00:01:02:47 Trump-Netanyahu meeting: what was decided and what it means for Iran00:01:03:27 Dr Eric Mandel, inner debates in Trump world, nuclear vs missiles vs proxies00:01:08:08 Neglecting Iran’s people, why “nuclear-only” deals keep failing00:01:11:17 Ambassador John Craig: carrier moves, “prequel” to military action00:01:16:09 What targets could look like, Israel’s role, “accept terms or else”00:01:17:27 Talks about talks, stalling, and why diplomacy may be a setup for force00:01:24:05 Who’s in the tight circle, Witkoff, Kushner, Vance, Barrack, Rubio question00:01:27:07 Regional pressure on Washington, Gulf states, stability argument vs regime fall00:01:30:14 Final messages to Trump, legacy, midterms, “be unconventional”00:01:32:20 End of episode#iran #freeiran #netanyahu #trump #iranprotests #iranrevolution #rezapahlavi #nucleardeal #usa #israel

“You cannot kill your way out of this.”That is how Iranian-American historian Abbas Milani describes the Islamic Republic’s response to Iran’s latest uprising, a crackdown he calls unprecedented in modern Iranian history.In this episode of Eye for Iran, Milani explains why mass killing and mass arrests have exposed the regime’s political death rather than restoring control. Drawing on new research documenting thousands of protests across Iran, he argues that fear no longer works, resistance is cumulative and the Islamic Republic cannot survive by violence alone. He also examines the chain of command behind the crackdown, the role of the IRGC and why negotiations with Tehran after mass killings risk throwing a lifeline to a sinking regime.The conversation then turns to the international response with Major Andrew Fox and Jake Wallis Simons, co-hosts of The Brink podcast. Fox, a conflict researcher and senior associate fellow at the Henry Jackson Society, served 16 years in the British Army from 2005 to 2021. Together, they assess whether diplomacy is buying time for Tehran, break down US options and warn that attempts to tame the regime risk normalizing mass killing.The episode concludes with frontline testimony from physicians documenting the human cost of the crackdown. Dr. Homa Fathi and Dr. Panteha Rezaeian of the AIDA Health Alliance describe hospital raids, doctors arrested for treating protesters and a growing epidemic of untreated wounds and preventable deaths as fear keeps the injured away from care.Contents for this video:00:00 Cold open: “You can’t kill your way out of this”00:00 Iran’s darkest chapter and the information war00:02 Doctors targeted for treating protesters00:02 Abbas Milani: how unprecedented is this crackdown00:06 Why the regime can’t murder its way to survival00:08 Friday talks: what is even left to negotiate00:13 A crackdown planned for decades00:16 Chain of command: how mass repression is executed00:19 Tehran’s soft power and influence networks00:23 Why negotiations fail and what comes next00:29 Andrew Fox and Jake Wallace-Simons join00:33 Trump’s options: deal, strikes, or “taming” the regime00:40 Can a “Maduro model” work in Iran00:51 Why Trump told protesters “help is coming”01:00 The information war in Western streets01:08 Doctors and AIDA Health Alliance: arrests, raids, snipers01:17 Virtual clinic and the epidemic of infected wounds01:29 Patients taken mid-treatment and what the world must do01:34 Closing#iran #iranprotests #freeiran #youtube #news #podcast #trump #negotiations #eyeforiran

As President Donald Trump issues a final warning to Tehran and US military assets appear to be moving into place, a defining question emerges: are targeted strikes against the Islamic Republic now around the corner?In this special edition of Eye for Iran, Negar Mojtahedi is joined by four crucial voices as Iran faces an unprecedented moment of crisis and possibility.Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus analyzes what potential US and Israeli military action could look like, which targets could weaken the regime’s command structure and what must follow to prevent chaos in a post-Islamic Republic Iran.Human rights activist and former political prisoner Shiva Mahboubi shares disturbing reports of detainees being forcibly injected and killed in custody, a hidden campaign of repression unfolding inside Iran’s prisons.Retired US federal judge Mark Wolf, chair of Integrity Initiatives International, explains how Iranian regime kleptocrats and their enablers could one day be held accountable and how stolen billions abroad may be frozen, seized and repatriated.Finally, analyst Khosrow Esfahani breaks down the regime’s escalating war of narratives and disinformation as Tehran seeks division while Iranians press forward with pain and resolve.Four conversations. One historic turning point.Contents for this video:00:00 “We Will Win” — Iran’s Uprising Reaches a Breaking Point00:40 Trump’s Final Warning — Are US Strikes on Tehran Now Imminent?02:16 Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus — What Targeted Strikes Could Look Like07:08 Conricus — The World’s Silence as Iran Faces Massacre10:12 Conricus — “It’s Only a Matter of Time” Before Military Action17:55 Conricus — Key Targets That Could Collapse the Regime24:15 Conricus — After the Fall: Preventing Chaos & Securing Transition28:55 Shiva Mahbobi — Forced Injections & Killings in Iranian Custody36:26 Mahbobi — What the International Community Must Do Now41:05 Judge Mark Wolf — Holding Regime Kleptocrats Accountable44:16 Wolf — Freeze, Seize, Repatriate: Recovering Iran’s Stolen Wealth54:33 Khosro Isfahani — Tehran’s Disinformation War & Narrative Battle01:20:07 Isfahani — “Pain, But Resolve” in Iran’s Fight for Freedom#eyeforiran #iran #iranprotests #trump #israel #NUFDI #IslamicRepublic #IRGC #HumanRights #PoliticalPrisoners #IranPrisoners #IranRevolution #Disinformation #accountability

As Iran’s streets turn into killing fields, the debate in Washington is no longer theoretical. Eye for Iran examines the Islamic Republic’s escalating violence against civilians under a near total digital blackout and asks the most urgent question yet: what will the world do now?Michael Makovsky, President and CEO of the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA), and Blaise Misztal, the Institute’s Vice President for Policy, argue the United States should pursue one clear objective: regime collapse. They explain why this moment may be a rare strategic window, what collapse could unlock for US policy and regional security and what concrete steps could weaken the regime while supporting Iranians risking their lives.Democracy and internet freedom activist Mehdi Yahyanejad then shares what his sources inside Iran are reporting despite the blackout, including how censorship, propaganda and fear are shaping what the world can and cannot see. He describes the role of Starlink access, the dangers faced by those sending information out and the stories emerging from the crackdown.Finally, Dr. Nazak Tavakoli of the Iranian Association of Human Rights and Allies, political activist Iman Vaez and Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs contributor Sogand Fakheri come together for a deeply personal conversation about grief, resilience and the human cost of this uprising, as families inside Iran vanish into silence and the diaspora struggles to respond.Subscribe for ongoing coverage of Iran’s uprising, the regime’s bloody crackdown and the global decisions that may shape what happens next.Contents of this video: 00:00:00 Cold open: eyewitness accounts under blackout00:00:25 Opening montage: “war on civilians” framing00:01:14 Segment 1 teaser: regime collapse argument (Makovsky + Misztal)00:02:55 Show open + guest introductions (Makovsky, Misztal)00:03:32 What does “regime collapse” actually mean00:05:07 Regime change vs. regime collapse: key distinction00:05:59 What collapse would unlock for US + region00:09:12 Does this moment have a “window”00:11:31 Trump red line: credibility, consequences, deterrence00:15:04 Most effective next step for Washington00:16:15 Building a long-term “collapse strategy” (comms, defections, pressure)00:20:41 Mixed signals: Witkoff, negotiation talk, military moves00:23:55 Where is this headed + closing thoughts (Segment 1 wrap)00:26:34 Segment 2 intro: Mehdi Yahyanejad (internet freedom + sources inside Iran)00:27:09 What he’s hearing now: fear, shock, missing loved ones00:28:51 Starlink pipeline + protecting identities00:35:29 Paint the picture: escalation, tactics, scale of violence00:41:32 Disinformation + confusion as a regime tactic00:49:09 Stories weighing on him most + what Iranians want from the world00:58:38 Victims + the human toll (Segment 2 wrap)01:01:03 Segment 3 intro: Nazak Tavakoli, Iman Vaez, Sogand Fakheri01:01:55 How they’re holding up: trauma, grief, resolve01:07:03 Family and friends back home: silence, fear, loss01:11:13 “This is war on unarmed people”01:11:36 Nazak’s story: legacy, missing contact, waiting for news01:16:14 Nazak on her father and the long shadow of repression01:22:03 Iman: messages from inside Iran + the diaspora’s role01:30:19 Message to Iranians: don’t lose hope01:32:19 Imagining Iran after: dignity, remembrance, rebuilding01:34:40 Closing thanks + sign-off + where to follow / newsletter#iran #iranprotests #usa #trump #iranrevolution #freeiran #podcast #iranpodcast #news #youtube #youtubeshorts

An eyewitness who recently fled Iran and whose identity is being withheld for his safety recounts indiscriminate gunfire that turned city streets into a battlefield. He says he saw thousands of bodies stored at a cemetery as families searched for missing loved ones during a nationwide digital blackout.He is risking his life to speak out and send a message to the world that the killings are still ongoing and Iranians urgently need help. He describes witnessing indiscriminate gunfire directed at unarmed civilians, narrowly escaping being shot himself.Eye for Iran host Negar Mojtahedi speaks with Republican Congressman Marlin Stutzman about what the United States may do next as Iranian lives hang in the balance. She also speaks with writer and human rights advocate Roya Hakakian on why this moment could mark a historic rupture for Iran and what pressure might reduce further civilian deaths.The program also features Gunther Fehlinger-Jahn Chairman of the Austrian Committee for NATO Enlargement on why he supports the Iranian people and what he believes Europe should do in response.This episode contains disturbing testimony.Contents of this video: 00:00 Eyewitness: “They Started Shooting with Heavy Guns”01:48 Iran’s Digital Blackout Begins02:13 Eyewitness Account from Tehran Streets03:58 Burying the Dead at Behesht Zahra06:48 “Thousands of Bodies” in Cemetery Warehouses11:18 Indiscriminate Gunfire Turns Streets Into a Battlefield14:59 “They Shot into the Crowd”16:38 Is This a Genocide?23:28 US Response to Iran’s Violence23:54 Congressman Marlin Stutzman on Trump and Iran29:46 Are Regime Officials Preparing an Exit?34:55 Roya Hakakian: A Historic Rupture50:36 Gunther Fehlinger-Jahn on Europe and Iran01:03:37 Final Thoughts and What Comes Next#iran #iranprotests #trump #tehran #iranrevolution #news #podcoast #iranpodcast

A wounded protester in Iran puts it starkly: “I’m not scared. For 47 years, I’ve been dead.”As protests spread across the country and chants turn openly existential, this special episode of Eye for Iran asks the question many are now asking: is Iran approaching a revolution? Is this the moment?Negar Mojtahedi is joined by former UK Security Minister and Member of Parliament Tom Tugendhat, former senior CIA official Norman Roule, Jason Brodsky, policy director at United Against Nuclear Iran, and David Patrikarakos, journalist, author and special correspondent for The Daily Mail.Tugendhat argues the Islamic Republic has entered its endgame, warning that Iran’s security forces will be judged by what they do next. Roule explains how Washington is assessing fast-moving unrest and what President Donald Trump’s warnings could mean in practice. Brodsky and Patrikarakos break down why this protest wave feels fundamentally different from 2009 and 2022, what real regime-change momentum looks like, and the decisive question ahead: can street protests translate into a coherent political alternative and meaningful defections inside the system?You can watch this episode on YouTube or listen on any podcast platform of your choosing. You can also switch to Persian captions or any language of your choice on YouTube. Contents for this video: 00:00 “I’m not scared. For 47 years, I’ve been dead.”01:08 Iran on the brink of revolution: is this it02:57 “This is the endgame” – Tom Tugendhat06:15 Why this protest wave is different09:33 Signs of regime panic and elite exits13:23 Why the West should care now18:36 Iran, Venezuela and collapsing proxy power22:31 Is the West preparing for a post-regime Iran23:37 Trump’s warning and the red line on repression25:59 Has the regime’s myth of invincibility shattered29:50 Former CIA official Norman Roule joins31:53 Will Trump act if killings escalate35:26 How relevant is Khamenei today39:47 Succession battles and IRGC power44:08 How intelligence reads a system in collapse51:56 The cost of Western silence55:47 Why this moment feels different from past protests01:02:40 Can protests become real regime change01:09:52 What happened to “Woman, Life, Freedom”01:21:50 Final reflections: courage, risk and Iran’s future#iran #iranprotests #iranrevolution #eyeforiran #iran #regimechange #middleeast #Geopolitics #WorldPolitics #ForeignPolicy #USIran #news #podcast #youtube #FreeIran

Chants of “Mullahs must get lost” are spreading across Iran six days after a collapsing currency and shuttered bazaars triggered the largest nationwide protests since the 2022 Woman, Life, Freedom movement. What began as demonstrations over economic hardship has evolved into a nationwide uprising directly targeting the Supreme Leader, posing one of the most serious challenges to Iran’s theocracy in years.On Eye for Iran, host Negar Mojtahedi asks: Can the Islamic Republic still control the situation — or is something deeper breaking?Joining us:* Shayan Samii — former US government appointee in intelligence and foreign policy* Arash Azizi — journalist and author of What Iranians Want: Women, Life, Freedom* Danny Citrinowicz — former head of the Iran branch in Israeli military intelligence* Alan Eyre — former US State Department Persian-language spokesperson and Iran specialist* Alex Vatanka — Director of the Iran Program, Middle East Institute* Joseph Epstein — Director, Turan Research Center at the Yorktown Institute* Bozorgmehr Sharafedin — Iran International Digital lead and former Reuters journalistWe break down:– Who these protesters are — and why bazaaris matter– How economic collapse is fueling anger nationwide– How the Islamic Republic may respond, and what signals to watch nextPlus: a deep dive into growing talk of regime change after the Trump–Netanyahu meeting — what Israel actually wants, what Washington is prepared to do and how any external pressure could shape the protests inside Iran.Bozorgmehr also explains why this protest wave may be harder to contain: broader networks, deeper grievances and a regime weakened after the 12-day war and ongoing economic freefall.Will these protests lead to the end of the Islamic Republic? Tell us in the comments.Contents for this video:00:00 – Cold open: anger over economic collapse00:23 – Intro: is Iran’s regime nearing the end?03:45 – Who are the protesters and what do they want? (Shayan)06:24 – Protests spread nationwide and the leadership vacuum (Arash)13:19 – No “silver bullet” for Iran’s economic crisis (Danny)19:00 – Protester courage, opposition factions and Western support27:29 – Who is on the streets? Gen Z, bazaaris, workers (Arash)32:55 – Opposition disunity and scenarios for change after Khamenei44:39 – Regime change versus change from within, and the exiled opposition54:40 – Does fixing the economy save the regime? (panel wrap)57:44 – Trump and Netanyahu meeting: is regime change a fantasy?01:03:04 – How could regime change or system collapse actually unfold?01:09:41 – Hopelessness inside the regime and IRGC’s next moves01:13:23 – War scenarios: Iran, Israel, Trump and the next clash01:18:53 – Ten features that make this protest wave different (Bozorgmehr)01:25:58 – Bazaaris break with the regime and Iran’s failing state economy01:34:41 – Comparing this to Women, Life, Freedom and what comes next01:41:06 – Final thoughts and Eye for Iran newsletter promo#iran #iranprotests #iranuprising #iraneconomy #iranpolitics #trump #netanyahu #israeliran #womenlifefreedom #middleeast #podcast #irgc #usforeignpolicy #iraninternational #eyeforiran #youtube #shorts #middleeast

Iran exits 2025 under visible strain. Direct confrontation with Israel, setbacks to Tehran’s proxy network, and rising domestic pressure have shaken the regime — but not toppled it.In this Eye for Iran special, Avi Melamed, Jay Solomon, and Dr. Shahram Kholdi explain what really changed inside Iran, what didn’t, and the biggest risks heading into 2026 — including potential renewed conflict between Iran, Israel and Hezbollah.We also speak with Shahin Milani, Executive Director of the Iran Human Rights Documentation Center, about a landmark criminal complaint naming 40 Iranian officials for alleged crimes against humanity during the Women, Life, Freedom protests — and what universal jurisdiction could mean for accountability.And Siavash Rokni, an Iranian pop culture expert joins us to unpack YouTube’s new ad policy, how it has slashed income for Iranian creators, and why it may strengthen the regime’s cultural control despite fewer ads for viewers.Contents for this video:00:00 — Intro: Iran exits 2025 in crisis — but not collapse00:46 — Panel begins: What really changed this year?03:05 — Iranians losing fear — and what that means for the regime05:54 — Did the 12-Day War with Israel change the balance?10:22 — Deterrence shattered: Israel vs Iran’s proxy strategy14:49 — Looking ahead to 2026: escalation risks and miscalculation27:43 — Predictions: confrontation, diplomacy… or both?37:18 — Accountability segment: Argentina files landmark case39:15 — Universal jurisdiction — how Iran’s officials could face charges44:39 — Victims’ stories and why documenting evidence matters50:20 — YouTube policy change: Iranian creators lose revenue54:23 — Culture vs control: how the regime benefits1:06:57 — Final thoughts & outro — what to watch next#Iran #EyeForIran #WomenLifeFreedom #IranIsrael #MiddleEast #HumanRights #geopolitics #youtube #iran #digitalfreedom #shorts

Iran's convergence of crises is upending people's lives both inside and outside the country.On this episode of Eye for Iran, we examine three developments you need to understand right now. Environmental researcher and hydraulic structures expert Roozbeh Eskandari explains how Iran can go from severe drought to destructive flooding, why these extremes are driven by mismanagement rather than nature alone and why flooding does little to resolve Iran’s deepening water crisis.We then turn to the United States, where expanded travel bans and immigration restrictions are leaving many Iranians in limbo. Iranian-American immigration attorney Ali Rahnama breaks down what the new policies actually mean in practice, who is most at risk and what families should be prepared for in the weeks and months ahead.Finally, we look inside Iran, where arrests continue following a memorial ceremony for a human rights lawyer who died under disputed circumstances. Psychotherapist and activist Azadeh Afsahi, who works closely with political prisoners and their families, shares what is known about the detainees, the conditions they face and what these arrests reveal about the reality behind claims of social opening in Iran.You can catch episode 82 of Eye for Iran on YouTube or listen on any podcast platform of your choosing.#iran #water #flooding #nargesmohammadi #khosrowalikordi #toomajsalehi #trump #usa #immigration #drought Contents of this video: Segment 1 – From drought to flooding: Iran’s water crisisGuest: Roozbeh Eskandari, environmental researcher and hydraulic structures expert00:00 Intro – Iran at a breaking point00:13 Why Iran’s drought turned into flooding02:07 How bad governance drives both extremes03:10 Climate change as an intensifier, not the cause05:27 Soil erosion, urban planning and destructive floods07:19 Environmental injustice and who pays the price09:18 Why poorer neighborhoods flood first11:26 Can flooding recharge Iran’s aquifers13:43 “Territorial collapse” and water bankruptcy18:51 Water scarcity, social tension and what comes nextSegment 2 – US travel ban and immigration crackdownGuest: Ali Rahnama, Executive Director of the Iranian American Legal Defense Fund25:36 What the new US travel ban actually changes27:03 Deportations, paused visas and green card uncertainty31:42 Asylum seekers, detention and due process concerns34:59 Allegations of coordination with the Iranian regime42:29 Notices of intent to deny and legal limbo46:41 Dual nationals and long-term immigration risksSegment 3 – Arrests, repression and resistance inside IranGuest: Azadeh Afsahi, psychotherapist working with political prisoners50:17 Arrests after memorial for human rights lawyer51:30 Families left without information or legal access54:10 Visible defiance under the same laws and repression56:10 Toomaj Salehi, trauma and breaking the silenceSegment 4 – Closing01:03:02 Final thoughts and where to watch or listen

Former CIA analyst and National Security Council director Kenneth Pollack joins Eye for Iran to explain why he believes Iran has been in a “pre-revolutionary state” for years, why revolutions succeed only when regimes lose the will or capacity to use force and how Khamenei’s eventual succession could reshape everything.Then, Behnam Ben Taleblu of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) breaks down President Donald Trump’s new National Security Strategy and why Iran is dramatically downplayed compared to 2017 — plus the risks of an “indifference” moment when the Islamic Republic, according to Taleblu, is “down but not out.”Finally, we speak with Tatyana Eatwell of Doughty Street Chambers in the UK about the death of Iranian defense lawyer Khosrow Alikordi. Authorities cite cardiac arrest, while colleagues raise serious concerns about state involvement. What does this case mean for lawyers, detainees and due process in Iran and what role can international mechanisms play?You can watch episode 81 of Eye for Iran on YouTube or listen on any podcast platform of your choosing.Contents of this video: 00:00 Intro — Is Iran in a Pre-Revolutionary State?Ken Pollack: Iran, Revolution, and Regime Change01:22 Why Iran Has Been “Pre-Revolutionary” for Years06:55 Why the Nuclear Issue Isn’t the Core Iran Problem11:30 Iran’s Regional Ambitions and the Axis of Resistance16:20 After October 7: Is Tehran Winning or Losing?20:43 Why Iran’s Uprisings Keep Failing28:49 What Happens After Khamenei?Behnam Ben Taleblu: Trump’s Iran Strategy37:18 Trump’s New National Security Strategy and Iran41:56 Why the Iran Threat Is Being Downplayed44:37 “Down but Not Out”: Risks of Strategic IndifferenceTatyana Eatwell: The Alikordi Case47:36 The Death of Lawyer Khosrow Alikordi48:32 Tatyana Eatwell (Doughty Street Chambers) on What This Means52:32 Why Lawyers and Dissidents Face Growing Danger58:08 Closing — Why Iran’s Future Remains Uncertain#iran #usa #trump #cia #youtube #shorts #khamenei #regimechange

This week on Eye for Iran, we look at Iran through three connected lenses: history, culture, and a society that some say is transforming in real time.First, Ambassador John Limbert – one of the American diplomats taken hostage in 1979 – reflects on what he witnessed in the early days of the revolution, how the Islamic Republic has (and hasn’t) changed over five decades, and why the hostility between Washington and Tehran has outlasted the Cold War. He reacts to Donald Trump’s assertion that “Iran is a bully no more,” and explains why he’s wary of predictions about the Islamic Republic's collapse.Then, researcher and postdoctoral fellow Siavash Rokni breaks down the controversy over Shervin Hajipour’s licensed album and the sudden “normalization” of rap in Iran. He explains how shows like BaZia and state-linked streaming platforms are being used to hijack youth culture, control the rap aesthetic and turn 25 years of underground music into a profitable, controllable industry and why he sees it as a sophisticated PR performance.Finally, journalist and senior Iran analyst at DAWN Omid Memarian joins to examine Iran’s apparent social renaissance: street concerts, jazz festivals, desert raves, and a Gen Z that openly pushes back on hijab rules and refuses to live a double life. He argues that the loosening of social restrictions is driven from below, not granted from above, and that this movement has deep political implications, even if the clerical establishment tries to present it as a controlled opening.You can watch this week's episode of Eye for Iran on YouTube or listen on any podcast platform of your choosing. Contents of this video:00:00:00 – Intro: Is Iran really changing?00:01:49 – Ambassador John Limbert joins the program00:02:03 – Trump says “Iran is a bully no more” – Limbert reacts00:06:30 – How the hostage crisis reshaped Iran and crushed democratic hopes00:11:28 – Same rulers, new society: what has (and hasn’t) changed in 45 years00:16:35 – Brain drain, diaspora, and a creative generation stuck between two Irans00:22:18 – Segment 2: Siavash Rokni on youth culture and rap00:23:27 – What is BaZia and why it matters for Iran’s rap scene00:30:02 – Why the state is “normalizing” rap: money, control, and PR performance00:39:12 – Shervin Hajipour backlash: betrayal, survival, and public anger00:41:06 – DIY and parallel economies: how independent artists resist the system00:45:36 – Segment 3: Omid Memarian on Iran’s social opening and crackdown00:46:24 – Mahsa Amini, the 12-day war, and a “worn out” repression machine00:51:55 – Not just Tehran: how far the social shift reaches beyond big cities00:53:20 – Explosion of expectations: Gen Z vs the system00:55:27 – Raves, festivals, and imagining a future without the Islamic Republic01:02:11 – Outro and Eye for Iran newsletter/info#iran #shervinhajipour #music #rap #news #culture #podcast #youtube #shorts #usa #trump #eyeforIran #genz

The United States has launched one of its most visible military deployments in years off the coast of Venezuela — a major operation aimed at narco-terror networks and the Maduro government. Retired four-star General Joseph Votel joins Eye for Iran to explain how decisions like this are made, what Washington’s posture actually signals, and why moves in the Caribbean inevitably carry an indirect message for countries like Iran, even if they aren’t the main focus.Next, we examine an Iran International investigation revealing new details about “Department 40,” an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) intelligence and cyber unit known as Charming Kitten. Cybersecurity expert Amin Sabeti explains how leaked files show the unit tracking dissidents, diplomats, journalists, think tank experts -- and even hacking institutions in countries friendly to Tehran.Finally, we look at a separate investigation by an Iranian reformist newspaper uncovering that a licensed matchmaking platform in Iran is allowing parents to register children as young as 13 for marriage. Child rights advocate Nazanin Afshin-Jam explains why this platform will likely increase the number of child marriages in Iran especially with the fraught economic conditions. A look at US policy, Iran’s external activities, and the human rights issues unfolding inside the country — all in one episode.You can watch Eye for Iran on YouTube or listen on any podcast platform of your choosing.Contents of this video:00:00:00 US sends 12,000 troops near Venezuela – cold open and episode intro00:02:47 Venezuela, Iran and US planning – first question to Gen. Votel00:05:15 How Washington makes military decisions on Venezuela00:07:05 Indirect impact on Iran and messaging to Tehran00:09:24 Covert options and information warfare against Maduro00:13:46 Deterrence, 12,000 troops and message to other adversaries00:17:05 Votel’s time as CENTCOM commander and Iran’s influence in the region00:21:05 How to confront and engage Iran going forward00:24:15 Can the US sustain major deployments in the Caribbean and Middle East?00:26:37 Leak exposes IRGC Department 40 cyber unit00:30:36 Why Iran’s hackers target even friendly states00:35:50 How deep the hacks go and how to protect yourself00:39:04 Investigation: matchmaking platform and child marriage00:43:22 Nazanin’s past campaign saving a child bride from execution00:47:43 What the world can do to pressure Tehran on child marriage00:49:28 Outro – how to follow Eye for Iran#iran #venezuela #usa #trump #hacker #hack #children #centcom #narconews #podcast #shorts #youtube

Iran says it is ready to talk to the United States on its own terms and has paused uranium enrichment after US and Israeli strikes. At the same time Tehran is allegedly building a secret enrichment site at Pickaxe Mountain and blocking inspectors. This while a leaked UN watchdog report shows there is no clear oversight of its 60 percent enriched uranium - enough for around ten nuclear weapons.In this episode of Eye for Iran Negar Mojtahedi sits down with nonproliferation expert Mark Fitzpatrick, author of “The Iranian Nuclear Crisis,” former US Deputy Assistant Secretary for Non Proliferation and associate fellow with the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). They break down Iran’s long-term strategy of nuclear hedging, why the Twelve Day War may have strengthened Tehran’s desire for a nuclear option and how Israel’s strikes have “temporized” but not ended the threat.They also explore what happens if Saudi Arabia secures a civilian nuclear deal with President Donald Trump, whether this could spark a regional nuclear arms race involving Egypt, Turkey and the UAE and if Iran might ever turn to North Korea for help. What is Washington’s real end game and how far will Israel go to block any US–Iran deal? Watch the full conversation to find out or listen on any podcast platform of your choosing.Contents of this video:0:00 Intro 01:23 – Introducing Mark Fitzpatrick01:59 – Iran’s long term nuclear hedging strategy04:26 – Growing calls inside Iran to pursue the bomb06:02 – Risks of a nuclear armed Iran and regional dominoes07:33 – Saudi nuclear ambitions and Trump meeting in DC09:03 – Could Saudi enrichment trigger a regional arms race10:55 – Iran–US negotiations and the zero enrichment deadlock13:21 – Israel’s strikes and the era of “temporizing”17:55 – Missing 60 percent uranium and IAEA blind spots20:12 – Did the Twelve Day War help or hurt long term stability31:37 – Could Iran turn to North Korea for nuclear help#iran #israel #saudiarabia #usa #trump #nuclear #podcast #news #youtube #shorts #middleeast

Iran is confronting one of the most serious environmental and geopolitical turning points in its modern history. In this edition of Eye for Iran, three critical conversations reveal how quickly conditions are shifting and what may come next for the region.The episode opens with Dr. Kaveh Madani, former senior Iranian environmental official and now head of the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health. He warns that Tehran is rapidly approaching what he calls Day Zero, with major reservoirs hitting dead storage, groundwater collapsing, and millions of residents at risk of losing reliable access to water. He explains why drought, climate pressure, and years of mismanagement have pushed Iran into national water bankruptcy.Professor Aram Hessami, a political science professor based in Maryland, then breaks down new reports suggesting that senior Israeli officials believe the window is closing to force major change in Iran before 2029. He explains what these claims actually signal about Israel’s strategy, why regime change rhetoric rarely matches reality, and how misreading the Iranian public could lead to deeper instability.Jasmine Naamou, who was in the room with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa during his historic visit to Washington, describes Syria’s emerging shift away from decades of Iranian influence and toward a closer alignment with the West. You can watch the full episode on YouTube or listen on any podcast platform of your choosing.#iran #water #israel #syria #trump #usa #podcast #news #middleeast #youtube #shorts

Tehran is allegedly urging its Shia militias in Iraq to swap guns for ballots in a shift that could reshape Baghdad’s power balance and test Washington’s resolve. “Iraq may become, in a very odd way, the Achilles heel of the Trump administration,” said historian Dr Shahram Kholdi on Eye for Iran. Jay Solomon, author of the Iran Wars, said that while Tehran is “on its back foot,” it remains “committed to rebuilding its proxy network." Alex Vatanka, Director of the Iran Program at the Middle East Institute, added that “the regime is trying to rebuild” rather than reform.This week, host Negar Mojtahedi and her three guests also examine Iran’s nuclear standoff, Khamenei’s praise for the 1979 embassy takeover and the suspicious death of dissident Omid Sarlak.#iran #iraq #usa #trump #news #podcast #middleeast #youtube #shorts You can watch Eye for Iran on Youtube or listen on any podcast platform of your choosing.

Two Gaza-born activists tell Eye for Iran that Tehran’s support for Hamas has not only prolonged Palestinian suffering but also strengthened hardliners in Israel. Khalil Sayegh, now based in Washington DC, and Hamza Howidy, who fled Gaza in 2023, argue that Iran has used Palestinians as pawns to justify its regional ambitions. They say a free and independent Palestine would strip the Islamic Republic of its main ideological weapon — the plight of the Palestinian people — and further weaken Tehran’s regional sway after two years of war.You can watch the full episode on YouTube or any podcast platform of your choosing. #gaza #israel #hamas #usa #iran #shorts #youtube #podcast #news