Iranian protests

Behind peaceful scenes, Iran's economy is in tatters, and people are fearful of a new government clampdown and angry about the destructive airstrikes.

The ruling establishment has dragged the entire country of Iran toward destruction and ignited war, yet it refuses to relinquish power.

Why is support for Israel growing among many Iranians, even as they suffer from the consequences of recent attacks and while the Islamic regime continues to portray Israel as an arch-enemy?

Protesters sent a unified message to Washington, urging policymakers not to reach agreements with Tehran and instead to “stay the course” in confronting the regime.

Ending the war prematurely “could embolden the Iranian authorities, making them more repressive and self-assured,” warned Kako Aliyar, a member of a Kurdish Iranian opposition party.

Amirhossein Hatami was among 11 men said to have been at imminent risk of execution, and who had been "subjected to torture and other ill-treatment in detention."

Over 40% of Iran's population lives below the absolute poverty line, with that figure exceeding 50% in the capital. Economists warn, however, that the real poverty rate may have climbed above 60%.

Beyond the battlefield, a larger question emerges: can this war become the catalyst for a new regional architecture linking Israel, the Gulf, and global partners?

IRAN AFFAIRS: Since protests began on December 28, more thousands of Iranians have been arrested for “crimes against the state,” and many face long-term imprisonment or worse, execution.

This is a cult-like regime that feeds on grievance, fear, and deception. It is, in essence, a death cult, one that glorifies death and martyrdom while devaluing life itself.