Iran On The Brink?

There were continuing protests in Teheran and other Iranian cities yesterday.  These protests started months ago and have continued sporadically ever since then.  What is most interesting about the protests is that they seem to have moved strongly in an economic direction.  In other words, the protesters are complaining about dire economic conditions.  They carry signs denouncing the Iranian adventures in Syria, but more for the effect those costly adventures are having on Iran's economy than for any disagreement with the legality or morality of the Iranian actions.  And the Iranian economy is tanking to be sure.  Iranian currency is becoming worthless; the exchange rate on the black market is reported to be 90,000 rials to one US dollar.  That is less than half of what the rial was worth just a few months ago.

Think of what this means.  If the mullahs are under economic pressure from the populace, the last thing they need is to deal with renewed sanctions from the USA.  In other words, the Trump policy of hitting Iran with ever stronger sanctions as part of the nuclear issue could find a very fertile ground in which to grow to success.

Of course, this is Iran, so it is hard to predict that economics rather than religious ideology will prevail.  Still, since the creation of the Islamic Republic nearly 40 years ago, there has never been a sustained outbreak of protest.  There has also never been such a poor economy for such a long time.  Maybe, just maybe, this will be the beginning of the end for the Iranian theocracy.  Let's hope so.