Global News Podcast Largest anti-government protests in Iran since 2009
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Jan 9, 2026 
Caroline Hawley, a BBC World Affairs correspondent, shares gripping reports from the frontlines of Iran's unprecedented anti-government protests. G.R. Gol, an analyst from BBC Persian, discusses the protests' scale, local perspectives, and the severe security crackdown. Sarah Smith, BBC North America editor, analyzes the fallout from a Minneapolis shooting involving a federal agent and its implications for public opinion on immigration enforcement. Together, they unpack a momentous time in politics and human rights.
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Protests Escalate Beyond Economics
- Massive nationwide protests in Iran have shifted from economic grievances to direct calls for Ayatollah Khamenei's removal.
- The regime imposed a near-total internet blackout while rights groups report dozens killed, highlighting escalating stakes.
Tehran's Role Could Be Decisive
- Large crowds in Tehran and other neighborhoods chanting against the supreme leader make this unrest more significant than past protests.
- If Tehran sustains mass turnout, G.R. Gol warns it could act as a turning point for nationwide mobilisation.
Economy And Politics Fuel Anger
- Economic collapse from sanctions and currency collapse fuels protests but anger also stems from political corruption and unaccountability.
- Many demonstrators feel they have little to lose, broadening participation beyond economic actors.
