The Fox News Rundown Evening Edition: Iranians Determined To Overthrow Brutal Theocracy
Jan 14, 2026
Khosrow Isfahani, a Senior Research Analyst at the National Union for Democracy in Iran, discusses the escalating Iranian protests and the brutal response from security forces. He reveals staggering casualty estimates and shares personal stories illustrating everyday life under the Islamic Republic. Khosrow explains why support for exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi is growing, highlighting his vision for a secular democracy. Despite peril, Iranians persist, fueled by hope for change and the belief that the regime’s fall is inevitable.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Escalation To Deadly Military Force
- Iranian security forces escalated from pellet guns to heavy machine guns and snipers, causing mass fatalities in protests.
- Khosrow Isfahani cites verified counts of 2,000–3,000 and leaked estimates up to 12,000–20,000, stressing large-scale killings.
Celebrating Culture Under Repression
- Khosrow describes life in Iran as culturally vibrant yet repressed by the regime's bans on music, dance, and alcohol.
- He recounts celebrating with friends despite risks, including a friend injured by a pulse gun who still joined the party.
Protests Persist Despite Internet Shutdowns
- Despite Internet blackouts and brutal crackdowns, protesters keep demonstrating and documenting atrocities.
- Isfahani argues momentum persists and crowds even offer amnesty to armed officers, signaling growing public power.