Iran’s Security Clampdown Keeps Protests Quiet as Economic Strains Build

Iran’s regime has violently suppressed protests with a nationwide security crackdown, curfews, and internet shutdowns, which appear to have quieted demonstrations for now but are unsustainable and unlikely to address the underlying grievances as the rial weakens and officials move hard currency abroad. Western sanctions target regime actors and financial networks, reinforcing economic pressure. In Syria, divisions within the SDF and PKK-linked leadership complicate talks with Damascus amid Turkish threat dynamics and tribal mobilization. The broader picture suggests potential for renewed unrest if security pressures erode or economic pain worsens.