Thousands of people in Iran have been protesting as a dire economic crisis takes a heavy toll on their daily livelihood.
From a sharp fall in the currency’s value to a steep rise in inflation, Iran’s economy has reached what many describe as a breaking point.
This time, the government has adopted a different approach as protests continue, calling for a dialogue mechanism.
But as the country reels from longstanding sanctions, what does the leadership have to offer?
And what would the consequences be if the protests escalate?
Presenter: James Bays
Guests:
Ali Akbar Dareini – Researcher at the Center for Strategic Studies
Marzie Khalilian – Political analyst and academic researcher
Stephen Zunes – Professor of politics and founding chair of Middle Eastern studies at the University of San Francisco
Published On 1 Jan 2026