Defiance in Iran: Despite Crackdown, Anti-Government Protests May Grow into "Nationwide Revolution"

The situation in Iran is critical" as authorities tighten their crackdown on the continuing anti-government protests after the September death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in the custody of the so-called morality police. United Nations human rights officials report Iranian security forces in Kurdish cities killed dozens of protesters this week alone, with each funeral turning into a mass rally against the central government. The defiance has been astounding," says Middle East studies professor Nahid Siamdoust, who reported for years from Iran, including during the 2009 Green Movement, and calls the protests a nationwide revolution."