THE END OF THE AYATOLLAH REGIME

 

• Middle East Forum podcast on Iran
• Iran entered 11TH consecutive day of nationwide protests
• spreading to more than 220 locations across 78 cities
• demonstrators openly demand dismantling of ayatollahs rather than reform
• Bazaar strikes, economic collapse, declining morale within security forces
• fractures inside the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
• intense pressure on regime, operating in survival mode 
• preparing contingency escape plans. 
• Protesters seek regime change
• repression and information blackouts no longer deter mass mobilization
• regime collapse will reshape Middle East 
• weaken Iran’s proxy network and Islamist movements 

Dec 28, 2025 ayatollah regime erupted, most widespread and violent protests in 46-yrs. The Middle East Forum convened a roundtable discussion on Mon, Jan 5, 2026, featuring Iran experts Gregg Roman, Daniel Pipes, Jonathan Spyer, Michael Rubin, Ben Baird, Mardo Soghom, and Shay Khatiri. 

 The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT