Weekly Roundup from Kayhan Life: January 30th – February 6th

The Clerics Want Time. Iranians Want Change!

Artist: Ahmad Barakizadeh

The United States and the Islamic Republic met in Oman. Whether these talks end with big news, a handshake, or nothing at all, they probably won’t change the real situation. At best, we might see a repeat of the past: a shallow deal that gives the clerics more time, a long process that creates headlines but not real progress, or, more likely, a breakdown that leads to more tension. Throughout all of this, Tehran will claim victory for “resistance” at home and “engagement” abroad.

But does any of this really matter? Not like it used to.

For 46 years, the Islamic Republic has used fear to stay in power. It told Iranians that resistance would lead to their ruin, that it owned the future, and that the clerical state would outlast anyone hoping for change. The regime tried to control not just people’s actions but also their hopes.

Outside Iran, it cultivated its “axis of resistance” to stand up to the United States and Israel. It stole billions from the Iranian people to fund its foreign militias and spread Ali Khamenei’s influence through networks, weapons, and favors internationally.

But that approach has fallen apart. Bashar Assad is now based in Moscow. Hezbollah and Hamas have suffered heavy losses. The sense that their success was guaranteed is gone.

Inside Iran, the problems are even clearer. Leaders now worry that any outside event could push an already angry public back into protest. Their fear is justified. When a government has to kill its own people to silence them, it is not really ruling anymore. It is just trying to hold onto power it can’t truly control.

Talks might happen or fall apart. But the main point stays the same: the illusion is broken. With or without negotiations, the people win because now, it is the regime that is afraid.

Welcome to the Kayhan Life Week in Review

This week, amid growing international pressure from sanctions, naval clashes, and tense diplomacy, we focused on the ongoing conflict between the Islamic Republic and a more outspoken Iranian society. We looked at how the January 2026 uprising and the government’s harsh response have reshaped politics in Iran.

In addition to major news stories, we shared firsthand accounts from witnesses to the crackdown. We also explained how Iran’s power structure operates and highlighted examples of Iranian culture, both inside the country and among those living abroad.

►Iranian officials have told the supreme leader that public anger after the violent crackdown is so strong that fear no longer stops people from protesting. Leaders are reportedly worried that a U.S. attack could spark widespread unrest and threaten their control.

EXCLUSIVE – Iran Fears US Strike May Reignite Protests, Imperil Rule, Sources Say

►Khosrow Amirani, an Iranian-born professional writing under a pseudonym, argues that the current “quiet” in Iran is not real stability but forced silence after violence, including blackouts, closed cities, and intimidation. He believes that what has changed is not the people giving in, but the regime losing its hold.

OPINION: After the Slaughter, Islamic Republic Faces Certain Collapse 

►Kayhan Life is creating an oral history of the Iranian people’s uprising by interviewing residents who saw and took part in protests in different cities. To protect them, all witnesses are using pseudonyms. Here are the first two parts of the series.

Witnesses describe protests in Sepahan-Shahr, an affluent area of Isfahan not usually known for unrest and located near a Revolutionary Guard base, that were met with sudden and severe armed force.

EXCLUSIVE: Isfahan Residents Describe the Deadly Crackdown on Protesters

►The Mesbah district of Karaj, where many government and security officials live, was once considered close to the regime because its residents come from deeply religious families. State violence changed this, and the account describes a night of bloodshed that shifted identities and loyalties throughout the neighborhood.

EXCLUSIVE: Witness of Deadly Karaj Crackdown Speaks Out 

►Rights groups, doctors, and legal experts are calling on the chemical weapons watchdog to investigate claims that chemical agents were used against civilians during January’s uprising. The signatories, including Shirin Ebadi, point to the uninvestigated 2022 schoolgirl poisonings as a warning.

Iranian Activists Demand Probe of Chemical Weapons Use in Crackdown 

►Mahaya Ostovar and Navid Sahraie believe that Prince Reza Pahlavi has become a unifying figure during this generational uprising. They urge international leaders to recognize him as the main opposition figure.

OPINION: The World Must Consider Reza Pahlavi As Iran’s Main Opposition Leader

►Britain has announced sanctions against Iranian individuals and a state security group linked to violent crackdowns and serious human rights abuses. The sanctions target the repression of free speech and assembly, as well as alleged violations of the right to life.

UK Imposes Sanctions on Iranian Officials Over Deadly Protests

►Washington and Tehran will meet in Oman for talks. But they disagree on what to discuss. The U.S. wants to address Iran’s missile program, its support for proxy groups in the Middle East, and human rights violations related to the crackdown on protesters. Iran, on the other hand, wants to limit the talks to nuclear issues and exclude other topics. These talks are happening amid rising tensions, increased U.S. military presence in the region, and fears of a wider conflict.

Iran Crisis: The Issues Dividing Washington and Tehran

►Meanwhile, clashes between the two sides continue in the Persian Gulf. IRGC gunboats reportedly tried to stop a U.S.-flagged tanker near the Strait of Hormuz, ordering it to halt and prepare for boarding. The ship kept moving and was reportedly escorted by a U.S. warship, creating another tense moment in this important waterway.

Iranian Boats Approach US-Flagged Tanker in Strait of Hormuz

►The U.S. military says it shot down an Iranian drone that came close to the USS Abraham Lincoln in an “aggressive” way, though its intent was unclear. This incident is part of a growing pattern of risky moves amid rising regional tensions.

US Shoots Down Iranian Drone Approaching Aircraft Carrier

►Russia’s nuclear chief says they are ready to remove staff from Bushehr if needed. This rare public statement highlights concerns about the risks to Iran’s nuclear facilities during this tense period.

Russia Is Ready to Evacuate Its Staff From Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Plant if Necessary

►An explosion in Bandar Abbas killed at least one person and injured 14 others. Although details are still limited, the blast is worrying because the port is important for shipping and logistics.

One Person Killed, 14 Hurt in Blast in Iranian Port of Bandar Abbas

►Here’s a quick guide to how Iran’s government works, including the roles of the supreme leader, elected bodies, and the security forces, especially the Revolutionary Guards. This context helps explain why outside pressure does not always lead to political change.

How Does Iran’s System of Power Work?

►Finally, on the cultural front, London’s Barbican is hosting an Iranian cinema festival that features a film banned in Iran. The event shows how Iranian stories and censorship reach audiences outside the country.

‘Iranian New Wave’ Film Festival Opens At London’s Barbican With Movie Banned in Iran