JERUSALEM, Israel – Growing unrest inside Iran is raising urgent questions about the regime’s future and its impact on regional security. New developments highlight how internal pressure on Tehran is colliding with warnings from the U.S. and escalating tensions involving Israel.
New intelligence reports indicate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has a contingency plan if his regime collapses. The 86-year-old cleric would flee Tehran for Moscow with his family and inner circle if security forces fail to crush the expanding protests.
The report comes as demonstrations continue to spread nationwide, marked by increasingly open defiance of the Islamic Republic itself.
Speaking with CBN News Middle East Bureau Chief Chris Mitchell, global terrorism expert Dr. Amir Hamidi emphasized that what is unfolding now is not just another wave of unrest, but is possibly a historic moment for the people of Iran.
“What we are witnessing right now is not an isolated event. It is a turning point, I think, and this is a nationwide demand to end the Islamic Republic after 47 years of repression across Iran from Tehran–it’s for the Shah to come and Iranians are chanting, ‘no to Gaza, no to Lebanon. I give my life for Iran. Along with the dictators, death to thee.’ And this is very interesting,” he stated.
Hamidi added, “We’re seeing this happening, chanting all over Iran. This is the year I think the regime will be toppled.”
As pressure mounts, Tehran is lashing out at Israel. Iran’s Foreign Minister accused Israeli leaders of stirring unrest.
To read the full story, visit our content partners at CBN News.
Reprinted with permission from cbn.com. Copyright © 2026 The Christian Broadcasting Network Inc. All rights reserved.
