Petraeus: Iran's Crackdown Shows Regime Strain, Yet Collapse Isn't Imminent

Former CIA director David Petraeus said at a Washington town hall that Iran’s crackdown on ongoing protests signals serious questions about the regime’s ability to sustain its grip, though it could still quell the demonstrations. Iran faces unprecedented unrest since December, with estimates of 5,000–20,000 killed and tens of thousands arrested amid economic hardship. He cautioned against expecting a collapse like the Arab Spring, noting cracks but no near-term end, while noting degraded proxies (Hezbollah, Hamas, Assad regime) and ongoing US–Iran tensions as the regime remains in a very difficult position.