The Take As Iranians protest, why is the US threatening intervention?
9 snips
Jan 8, 2026 
Narges Bajoghli, an anthropologist and Associate Professor at Johns Hopkins University, specializes in Iranian politics and social movements. She dives into the ongoing protests in Iran, linking the economic crisis to U.S. sanctions and a collapsing rial. Bajoghli discusses the complex public emotions surrounding potential U.S. intervention and the internal power struggles within Iran, including the roles of reformists and hardliners. She warns of the risks of state collapse and highlights Iran's historical fight for sovereignty from foreign powers.
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Sanctions Deepen Iran's Economic Collapse
- Iran's current economic crisis combines long-term mismanagement with intensified U.S. sanctions that crush foreign currency and fuel inflation.
- Narges Bajoghli says the state cannot fix the economy without negotiating sanctions, which would require foreign-policy concessions the government resists.
Bazaar Closures Carry Revolutionary Symbolism
- Bazaar strikes carry heavy symbolic weight because bazaars played a decisive role in Iran's 1979 revolution.
- Bajoghli notes merchants closing shops signals broad economic refusal and distinguishes these protests from past ones.
Negotiate Sanctions To Stabilize Economy
- The Iranian state must either negotiate sanctions or face prolonged economic collapse and social unrest.
- Bajoghli implies leaders should prioritize negotiating foreign-policy concessions to relieve the economy.