- January 25, 2026
- 8:15 pm
- World News
This text is a retelling and adaptation of an article from The Next Move dated January 22, 2026. The editorial team gathered opinions from authors in different countries to show that the protests in Iran are not an internal crisis but an event with direct global consequences.
Since the end of December, Iran has been engulfed in mass protests. The authorities respond as usual: with violence, arrests, and almost complete isolation of the country from the outside world. International reports speak of tens of thousands of deaths. But behind the dry numbers lies a much broader context.
The Islamic Republic has been destroying lives not only within the country for decades. Iran has supported dictators and terrorist structures in Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, and Gaza. Iranian weapons are currently being used by Russia against the civilian population of Ukraine. Therefore, the question “what will happen if Iran becomes free” is a question about the security of the entire world.
It is from this perspective that The Next Move proposed five views — Iranian, Palestinian, Israeli, Yemeni, and Ukrainian.
Iran: Freedom is not a dream, but a condition for survival
This is stated by Marina Nemat, a writer and former political prisoner.
For Iranians, a democratic Iran is not a political project or a romantic ideal. It is a basic necessity, comparable to air. The regime shoots at its own people not out of strength, but out of fear.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps controls the economy, resources, and finances of the country. People take to the streets not only for freedom of speech — they cannot feed their families. Many understand that protest almost guarantees death, but choose to go out because there is no more hope. This is not a struggle for a better future, but a struggle for survival itself.
Palestine: Iran as a source of eternal war
The Palestinian perspective is described by Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, an analyst and native of Gaza.
For Palestinians, Iran was a “bad friend” that pushed towards the worst decisions. Tehran has been financing and arming Hamas and the “Islamic Jihad” for decades, turning the Palestinian issue into a tool of endless and losing war.
The ayatollahs used Palestine as a political symbol, justifying violence throughout the Middle East. A free Iran would mean a break with this logic. Instead of weapons — knowledge. Instead of the ideology of hatred — restoration.
A democratic Iran could become a partner in the restoration of Gaza and an example for the future Palestinian state. It is no coincidence that the author emphasizes: protesters in Tehran are doing more for the Palestinian future than any armed groups.
Israel: We are not enemies of the Iranian people
The Israeli assessment is given by Ksenia Svetlova, a former Knesset member and journalist.
Iran is a country with a population of about 90 million and enormous potential. Its tragedy is that this potential has been stifled by ideology for decades.
The fall of the Islamic Republic would change the regional security architecture. The logic of total confrontation with Israel would disappear, opening the way to at least pragmatic, non-ideological relations. Even cold neutrality would be a radical improvement compared to the rhetoric of destruction.
Without Tehran’s support, the Iranian proxy network — from Hezbollah to Hamas — would begin to crumble. Lebanon and Iraq would have a rare chance to regain real sovereignty. And importantly, millions of Iranians have long understood: the image of Israel as the “eternal enemy” is a convenient screen to cover the regime’s failures.
Yemen: Don’t let the monster outlive its creator
The Yemeni threat is described by Fatima Abo Alasrar, a researcher of ideological systems.
Even if the regime in Tehran falls, its legacy may remain. The Houthis in Yemen are not just an armed group, but an ideological product of Iran.
Tehran has been building its own mini-version of the Islamic Republic there for years: schools, media, the cult of “martyrdom,” a reworked religion. Today, the Houthis control key points of the Red Sea and are capable of striking far beyond Yemen.
The author warns: if the West once again chooses the illusion of “stability,” this monster may outlive its creator — and remain a long-term threat to the region and global trade.
Ukraine: Oil, drones, and the cost of war
The Ukrainian perspective is presented by Oleh Dunda, a member of the Verkhovna Rada.
For Ukraine, the protests in Iran are not a distant exotic. Iran is one of the largest oil players in the world, and its isolation benefits Russia. A democratic Iran, integrated into the global economy, would reduce Moscow’s oil revenues and accelerate the end of the war.
Since 2022, Tehran has become a direct military partner of the Kremlin, supplying drones and ammunition. The fall of the Iranian regime would be a serious political blow to Russia and would show the vulnerability of authoritarian alliances.
At the same time, the author emphasizes: there should be no illusions. The democratization of Iran is a complex and long process. Mistaken steps can lead to chaos and new conflicts. But ignoring what is happening means playing into the hands of autocracies.
All five views agree on one thing: a free Iran is not a regional bonus, but a global game-changer. It will affect the security of Israel, the future of Palestine, the stability of the Middle East, the outcome of the war in Ukraine, and the balance of power in the world.
That is why the topic of Iran today goes beyond one country — and it is in this context that NAnews — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency considers the protests in Tehran with consequences for the entire region and beyond.
