The Unraveling Islamic Republic

By Nir Boms and Shayan Arya: The recent demonstrations in Iran have caught many by surprise, especially those who have been attuned to voices sympathetic to the Iranian regime, like that of the National Iranian-American Council (NIAC). Yet the current unrest in Iran has confirmed what those more attuned to domestic conditions in the Islamic Republic have long known: that an explosion was not a matter of if, but of when.

Today, the destructive influence of the Islamic Republic of Iran extends from Africa to South America, with major involvement in arenas like Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, and Iraq. This presence makes Iran appear more powerful than it really is – and makes many in the West hesitant to confront the regime and to advocate for change. This image of strength is a facade; internally, the Islamic Republic is unraveling rapidly.

Iran’s economy is in shambles. The days of high oil prices are long gone, and national resources are almost depleted. Despite the JCPOA – an agreement that was supposed to open the Iranian market to international investors – Iran’s economy remains in stagflation, with very little prospects for improvement in sight. Iran’s military escapades in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen, meanwhile, have further strained the pool of available resources. Inefficient economic policies and endemic corruption have done the rest.