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At the end of December 2025, demonstrations erupted across multiple cities in Iran that in many cases became riots due to the deepening economic crisis and disillusionment of the Iranian regime. This has been considered as the largest uprising since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The verdict is still out as to whether the regime will survive, and whether the opposition will gain momentum and coordinate effectively amongst themselves. Iran’s surrounding states are watching carefully as to whether secessionist groups will target the capital causing the regime to implode. Meanwhile, the US and Israel is keeping the international community guessing whether they plan to follow up on the 12 Day War and conduct further strikes targeting the IRGC and missile facilities. 

Dr Tamara Cofman Wittes

Dr Tamara Cofman Wittes is the President of the National Democratic Institute. Before joining the Institute, she served as Director of Foreign Assistance in the U.S Department of State. Previously, she led the Russia sanctions effort for the State Department’s sanctions coordination office. Dr. Wittes also served in the State Department from 2009 – 2012 as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, coordinating U.S. policy on democracy and human rights in the Middle East during the Arab uprisings. 

Professor Ali Ansari

Professor Ali Ansari is Professor of Iranian History at the University of St Andrews, known for his extensive work on modern Iran, Iranian nationalism, and its history and politics.

Sima Shine

Sima Shine is the head of Iran Program, Institute for National Security Studies (INSS). Previously she was the head of the Research & Evaluation Division, Mossad (2003-2007)

Moderated by: 

Barak Seener
Associate Research Fellow at the Henry Jackson Society