ABC News Daily Is Trump about to strike Iran to 'help' protesters?
Jan 14, 2026
Hussein Ibish, a senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute, dives into the escalating situation in Iran. He analyzes the factors igniting widespread protests, from economic collapse to water shortages, and discusses the diverse social groups leading the unrest. Ibish draws parallels between current events and the 1979 revolution, warning of opportunistic groups. He decodes Trump's ambiguous promise of 'help' and predicts possible U.S. military actions. The podcast also highlights the regime's weakening grip and the crucial role of information flow via Starlink.
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Largest Uprising Since 1979
- Iran faces mass protests described as the biggest uprising since 1979 with a severe crackdown.
- Human rights groups and an Iranian official report thousands killed amid a communications blackout.
Economic Collapse Driving Protests
- Hussein Ibish links protests to economic collapse, sanctions and water shortages driving public anger.
- He describes hyperinflation that makes currency lose value within hours, collapsing daily economic functioning.
Cross-Sector Unity Upsets Regime
- The protests now unite diverse social groups that previously protested separately, creating a broader threat to the regime.
- That cross-sector unity is precisely what the Iranian government fears most.