Over the past month, Iranians have taken to the streets in unprecedented protests, demanding not just economic reforms but the end of the Islamic regime that has ruled for nearly half a century. Many protesters initially found hope in promises of support from the United States, but feel abandoned after President Donald Trump appeared to back away from intervention, leaving them isolated and vulnerable.

Roni Insaz, a former member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, warns that the regime has responded with extreme violence, enlisting foreign militias to suppress dissent and imposing digital blackouts to hide the scale of the crackdown. He describes a shift among protesters, who have lost their fear and are openly calling for systemic change, marking a point of no return.

Insaz emphasizes that the Iranian people's desire for international support, especially from the United States, is not just rhetoric but a lifeline in the face of escalating repression. He also notes a resurgence of nostalgia for the Pahlavi monarchy and a belief that strong global engagement could help bring about a new era for Iran. Insaz urges the world not to turn away, warning that silence will only embolden the regime's violence.