How far will the latest protests go in Iran?

Inside StoryThousands of people in Iran have been protesting as a dire economic crisis takes a heavy toll on their daily livelihood.From a sharp fall in the currency’s value to a steep rise in inflation, Iran’s economy has reached what many describe as a breaking point.This time, the government has adopted a different approach as protests continue, calling for a dialogue mechanism.But as the country reels from longstanding sanctions, what does the leadership have to offer?And what would the consequences be if the protests escalate?Presenter: James BaysGuests:Ali Akbar Dareini – Researcher at the Center for Strategic StudiesMarzie Khalilian – Political analyst and academic researcherStephen Zunes – Professor of politics and founding chair of Middle Eastern studies at the University of San FranciscoPublished On 1 Jan 2026