The Fox News Rundown Evening Edition: Hundreds Dead In Iranian Protests, How Will President Trump Act?
Jan 12, 2026
Daniel Flesch, a Senior Policy Analyst for Middle East and North Africa at The Heritage Foundation, shares insights on the dire situation in Iran amidst widespread protests. He discusses President Trump's warning and the severe crackdown on the demonstrators. Flesch highlights Iran's weakened state and the potential for U.S. intervention, examining military and nonmilitary options. In a broader context, he reflects on how a regime change could transform Middle Eastern security and who might lead Iran in the future.
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Massive Crackdown And U.S. Watchfulness
- Widespread protests in Iran have ramped into deadly repression with hundreds reported killed amid internet blackouts.
- President Trump signaled the U.S. is watching and has warned of consequences if Tehran continues violent crackdowns.
Regime Weakness Doesn’t Guarantee Collapse
- Daniel Flesch argues Iran's regime is the weakest it's been in decades due to military and economic pressures.
- He cautions that weakness doesn't mean immediate collapse and the regime still controls coercive power inside Iran.
Blackouts Obscure True Toll
- Internet shutdowns and censorship make accurate casualty counts and reporting extremely difficult.
- Flesch notes reported deaths near 500 may be undercounts due to restricted information flow and mass arrests.