Bowen: Authoritarian regimes die gradually then suddenly, but Iran is not there yet

BBC News - WorldCenterEN 5 min read 100% complete January 13, 2026 at 05:47 PM

AI Summary

long article 5 min

Jeremy Bowen reports that while Iran's authoritarian regime faces significant pressure from recent protests, economic sanctions, and past military blows, it is not on the verge of collapse. Recent unrest, fueled by economic hardship and anger, has been suppressed by loyal security forces, including the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and the Basij militia. The IRGC, a powerful organization with around 150,000 personnel, is dedicated to defending the Islamic revolution and has a vested interest in maintaining the current system. Despite widespread discontent and a struggling economy, the regime's security apparatus remains effective in quelling dissent, as evidenced by the recent crackdown on protests. The judiciary has vowed harsh punishments for rioters.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

France 40% UN 40% UK 40% Germany 40% Basij militia 50% Tehran 50% Israel 50% United States 60% Ayatollah Ali Khamenei 60% Jeremy Bowen 70% Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) ×380% Iran ×790%

Keywords

iran 100% authoritarian regime 90% islamic regime 80% protests 70% iranian revolutionary guards corps 70% sanctions 70% repression 60% security forces 60% political unrest 50% economic crisis 50%