The Islamic Republic of Iran has weathered another wave of anti-government protests, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi claimed on January 12. By his reading of the volatile situation, the regime has seized “total control” of the streets.

His claim has yet to be verified, but, as the US-based Institute for the Study of War indicates, it is possible that the rate of protest activity across Iran has decreased due to the regime’s brutal crackdown on demonstrations.

In the meantime, Araghchi and other Iranian officials have blamed the United States and Israel for the violence, claiming that US President Donald Trump sought a pretext to intervene in Iran’s internal affairs.

Nonetheless, Iranian diplomats have reportedly reached out to Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, to discuss the protests. The usually reliable Axios news site interpreted their outreach as an attempt by Iran to deescalate tensions with the United States.

Since early January, Trump has threatened to use military force to respond to Iran’s ferocious suppression of the demonstrations. But while US air strikes are “one of the many, many options that are on the table, diplomacy is always the first option for the president,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said yesterday.

Trump, meanwhile, has imposed a 25 percent tariff on nations that do business with Iran. This tariff will affect virtually every Western country as well as Russia and China, Iran’s allies.

The widespread demonstrations in Iran erupted late last month and have spilled into all its 31 provinces and major cities. They have shaken the theocratic regime, with clashes having broken out between usually peaceful protesters and security forces.

The protesters appear to lack an organized leadership. As one observer put it, “The regime has been systematic and ruthless in eliminating potential leaders. What remains is an angry public that can take to the streets but cannot take control.”

Since the outbreak of the current unrest, upwards of 2,000 people have been killed and some........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)