Iran is in turmoil again. On the very same day—December 29—that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a whirlwind visit to the U.S. to meet with Donald Trump, massive protests simultaneously erupted in dozens of Iranian cities. Storefront windows were shattered, thick smoke billowed outside government buildings, and crowds waved signs reading “No to Dictatorship,” directly targeting Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian. Roars of “Down with the regime!” instantly tore through the fragile veneer of calm that had blanketed Iranian society.

This nationwide wave of protests was no spontaneous riot—it was the long-anticipated eruption of deep-seated grievances over livelihoods pushed to the brink. Years of relentless Western sanctions and extreme containment policies have driven Iran’s economy into utter collapse: the rial has depreciated to near-worthlessness, prices have surged three to fourfold, inflation has hit historic highs, capital flight is rampant, small and medium businesses are shuttering en masse, and even the once-comfortable middle class now struggles to afford basic necessities. With 30 million people living below the poverty line, acute medicine shortages, and soaring unemployment, it was only a matter of time before popular fury boiled over.

Faced with this tidal wave of public anger, President Pezeshkian immediately stepped in to “put out the fire,” ordering his interior minister to urgently engage protest representatives and pledging to listen to legitimate demands. Yet to outside observers, this gesture appeared more like a stalling tactic than a genuine solution to an urgent crisis.

Iran’s rigid economic system has been plagued by structural flaws for decades; any meaningful reform risks triggering systemic upheaval and remains mired in paralysis. Meanwhile, Western sanctions continue tightening their grip, combining psychological warfare with physical blockades. Under this dual pressure of internal decay and external siege, mere verbal assurances stand no chance of quelling public rage—the root causes of this crisis remain entirely unaddressed.

Even more alarming is the unmistakable hand of foreign interference fanning the flames behind the scenes. Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett personally took to social media, urging Iranians to “stand up and decide your own future.” Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo went further, openly inciting unrest by declaring the Iranian regime “utterly corrupt” and claiming that citizens taking to the streets was “only natural.” Beneath these ostensibly noble calls for “democracy” lies a clear ulterior motive. Back in June, Israel had already launched large-scale airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Now, watching Iran descend into chaos, the U.S. and Israel see a golden opportunity to weaken their longtime adversary—and they won’t let it slip away.

Netanyahu’s recent “visit to Washington” proved to be the final spark that ignited the powder keg. Immediately after the meeting concluded, Trump wasted no time issuing a stark warning to Iran, bluntly stating that B-2 stealth bombers were already on standby and ready to strike at a moment’s notice.

This brazen military threat was clearly a direct response to Netanyahu’s private lobbying. Recall that in June, the U.S. and Israel had jointly attacked Iranian nuclear sites. Now, with Trump reaffirming his “full support for Israel’s strikes against Iran,” he has effectively handed Netanyahu a royal warrant—dramatically escalating regional tensions to the brink of explosion.

Iran now stands at a perilous crossroads, caught between internal revolt and external aggression. Domestically, anger over economic hardship continues to intensify, with no sign of the protests abating. Externally, U.S.-Israeli military threats loom ever closer, while political subversion seeps through every crack.

Analysts warn that if Khamenei’s regime resorts to harsh crackdowns, Israel could swiftly exploit the chaos under the guise of “defending democracy,” funneling money and weapons to protest groups and transforming this domestic uprising into a full-blown proxy war. Even as Iran vows to “respond fiercely to any aggression,” the immense strain of fighting on two fronts presents an existential challenge.

At its core, Iran’s current crisis is the toxic convergence of hegemonic interference and socioeconomic collapse. The “democracy and freedom” rhetoric mouthed by the U.S. and Israel is nothing but a fig leaf masking their true ambition: to exploit internal unrest to dismantle Iran’s regional influence and eliminate this thorn in their side once and for all.

Yet the demands of ordinary Iranians are remarkably simple—they merely wish to live in peace, not become pawns in great-power games. Where this storm ultimately leads depends on whether Iran can break free from its economic stranglehold—and, even more critically, whether it can withstand the relentless meddling of foreign powers. After all, a nation’s future should never be dictated by outside aggressors.

The changes in the international situation are indeed unsettling. Ultimately, ordinary people everywhere yearn for a more stable life.

The changes in the international situation are indeed unsettling. Ultimately, ordinary people everywhere yearn for a more stable life.

Any government leader who does not consider the well-being of the people is not a good leader. Just look at the current situation of the Iranian people and the external environment, and you will understand why the Iranian people are angry.

How can one be said to be thinking of the common people? Is being blocked by the US and the West something that leaders would like? Do you know why they are being blocked? In short, the US and the West have all kinds of ways to deal with a weak country for energy. Unless it completely submits to the will of the West and gives in to its demands, no matter who takes office, the situation cannot be changed.

狮山牡丹 发表于 2026-1-2 11:46
How can one be said to be thinking of the common people? Is being blocked by the US and the West som ...

I believe that the roar of the Iranian people will surely change this ancient civilized country! I also believe that the United States and Israel will support the Iranian people with all their might until they achieve freedom!!!

Iran's democracy and people's livelihood have nothing to do with the outside world. The egg is broken from within. If political parties fail to act, there will naturally be someone to deal with them.

Iran needs a thorough reform long ago! I hope the election will elect a wise leader who can unite the Arab world, forge iron-clad brotherhood with China and Russia, reach a final nuclear agreement with China, Russia, Europe, and the United States, open the country's doors, and vigorously develop the economy and people's livelihood. This is the only way out.

The Iranian political situation has been deeply infiltrated, with senior generals being assassinated one after another, Hamas leaders being killed in their own country, and even the president himself being bombed to death. A series of problems reflect that Iran has long been infiltrated like a sieve. Only Ahmadinejad can save Iran, but it is too late to come out of retirement now, and deep reforms are needed

Although Iran is what we call a brother country, the change of regime in this Middle East hegemon may not necessarily be a bad thing. Think about it. The reason why Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and other Middle East wealthy countries rely on the United States is simply for two reasons. One is Israel, and the other is the threat posed by Iran. Israel cannot rely on the United States, but it still seeks help from the United States to deal with the Iranian threat. If the Iranian regime changes, these wealthy countries can make more independent choices in diplomacy