Making the Argument with Nick Freitas Iran is Burning: 500+ Dead, Trump Warns Strikes if Khamenei Regime Kills Peaceful Protesters
Jan 12, 2026
Nationwide protests in Iran have ignited a global conversation about rights and repression, with hundreds reportedly dead and thousands arrested. Trump weighs potential responses, including sanctions and military strikes. The role of the IRGC, Iran's powerful security force, highlights the regime's reliance on repression. Brave protesters are using powerful imagery, like burning Ayatollah photos, to symbolize their fight for change. The dynamics of regional politics and the influence of economic turmoil add layers to this ongoing crisis.
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Widespread Protests And Brutal Crackdown
- Nationwide protests in all 31 provinces indicate unprecedented scale and coordination across Iran.
- Reports claim hundreds dead and internet blackouts show the regime's heavy-handed, nationwide response.
IRGC Is The Regime’s Power Center
- The IRGC is Iran's primary instrument for internal repression and external terrorism.
- Targeting IRGC assets, not the regular military, alters leverage and messaging toward Tehran.
Keep Surgical Options On The Table
- Keep military options visible while prioritizing surgical strikes to avoid full-scale invasion.
- Use targeted actions to pressure Tehran into negotiation without prolonged nation-building.
