Iran Protests, Day 18 | A Decisive Moment for Iran

While the United States is on the brink of military action in Iran, Iran itself may be on the brink of something far bigger.

U.S. forces are repositioning. Allies are on alert. And in Tehran, a crippled regime already at war with its own people is threatening retaliation against the United States.

In this urgent episode of The Iran Breakdown, Mark is joined again by Reuel Marc Gerecht and Ray Takeyh to break down what a U.S. strike would actually mean — militarily, strategically, and for the Iranian people themselves — and why American credibility is once again on the line. 

From Iran’s likely response to the durability of its repression, the conversation confronts the million-dollar question: Is this the moment the regime doubles down — or the moment Iranians begin to take their country back?

Read next

Ray and Reuel's Wall Street Journal piece from January 12: Don’t Repeat Obama’s Mistake in Iran

Ray and Reuel's Wall Street Journal piece from January 8: Can Iran Hold the Line Against Its Protesters?

Watch next

If you're new to The Iran Breakdown, welcome. Mark's interview with Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi should be your next watch.

Iran protest resources

We're tracking the Iran protests at fdd.org/iranprotests.

Follow FDD's Iran experts on X, like Mark, Behnam, Saeed, and Janatan