Consider This from NPR Reflections on an 'electrifying' round of protest in Iran
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Jan 14, 2026 Join Jason Rezaian, a former Tehran correspondent for the Washington Post who survived imprisonment in Iran, as he analyzes the recent wave of protests that have transformed from economic discontent into a powerful anti-government movement. He discusses why these protests feel uniquely significant and critiques U.S. policies that have failed to effectively support the Iranian people. Rezaian also reflects on his decade in exile, expressing pride in the protesters while fearing governmental backlash. His insights offer a compelling look into a pivotal moment in Iran.
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On-the-Ground Protest Experience
- Yusuf Yazdi describes joining a 200–300 person protest near his mother's home in Tehran with mostly young people chanting against the regime.
- He recounts tear gas hitting the crowd and his mistake of breathing through his mouth, which caused days of throat pain.
Protest Momentum Is Accelerating
- Jason Rezaian says protest movements in Iran are accelerating in frequency and scale compared with past waves.
- He suggests the regime lacks a plan and that the system's expiration date may be approaching.
Economic Grievances And Rights Are Linked
- Rezaian links economic grievances and demands for rights across multiple recent movements, from 2017–19 protests to the 2022 Woman Life Freedom movement.
- He argues the regime has failed to respond to clear demands for openness and better livelihoods.