The David Frum Show What Comes Next for Iran?
35 snips
Jun 18, 2025 
Karim Sadjadpour, an expert on Iranian internal affairs from the Carnegie Endowment, discusses the pressing issues facing Iran today. He delves into the survival instincts of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and the regime’s obsession with martyrdom and repression. The conversation highlights the disconnect between the Islamic Republic's revolutionary slogans and the aspirations of its people. They explore the high stakes of Iran's nuclear ambitions and the inner turmoil within the regime, offering insights into possible futures for the country.
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Khamenei's Survival Mindset
- Ayatollah Khamenei is deeply committed to the revolutionary principles of Iran's 1979 revolution.
- He believes reform could hasten the regime's collapse, so he resists change to preserve power.
Regime's Survival Over Nuclear
- The Iranian regime prioritizes its own survival over the nuclear program.
- Khamenei faces a difficult balance: respond to attacks or risk losing face internally and externally.
Israel's Strategic Aims on Iran
- Iran is outmatched militarily, intelligence-wise, and diplomatically by Israel.
- Israeli goals include degrading Iran's nuclear program and destabilizing its regime.
