What Next for Iran?

In this episode of Hold Your Fire! , Richard Atwood is joined by Crisis Group’s Iran Director Ali Vaez to discuss the wave of nationwide protests in Iran and what the unrest could mean for the Islamic Republic’s future. They look at what’s behind the protests, what is known about the situation on the ground amid an information blackout and the regime’s brutal crackdown, with a death toll that authorities themselves put in the thousands. They unpack the public anger at the regime, debates over who could rally an opposition, and calls for a referendum and a new constitutional order. They also assess President Donald Trump’s options, including the possibility of U.S. strikes, the risks of escalation or state collapse in Iran, and whether any viable path exists toward political change. Click here to listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify . For more, check out our latest statement “ Iran in Crisis: Time for a Change from Within ” and our Iran page. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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What Next for Iran? is an episode from Hold Your Fire! by International Crisis Group.

This episode is 42:44 long.

This episode was published on Jan 16, 2026.

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