Can Iran Hold the Line Against Its Protesters?

Excerpt

Revolutionary regimes tend to forget the lessons of their own triumphs. As the original firebrands age, a new generation looks to tinker with the system, loosen its ideological strictures, and even reanimate a national compact. In this disagreement between young and old, the Iranian regime faces a major and possibly existential challenge.

Nationwide protests are again forcing the ruling elites to make difficult choices. Can they placate the street without compromising the Islamic revolution? Can they crush another incipient rebellion without igniting larger demonstrations? President Trump has threatened to respond with military force to any violence against the protesters, but this probably won’t deter supporters of Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader.

Mr. Gerecht is a resident scholar at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Mr. Takeyh is as senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.