The pent-up anger among Iran's dissidents is surfacing as riots are breaking out throughout the country. Protesters have burned and destroyed statues of Qassem Suleimani as well as destroying symbols of government.
These images may indicate that the Islamic Republic is slowly losing control of the country. Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's health is reportedly precarious, and his son may be appointed as his successor.
Middle Eastern scholar Dr. Eddie Cohen noted in an interview with Chanel 14's Israel Morning that the son's appointment may increase public anger against the government. "If you appoint his son, it's completely contrary to everything that the Iranian regime preached against for years, when it condemned the lamb in Iran on the grounds that it was a family rule. So how is it possible that you, the devout Muslims and Islamists, appoint the son? This completely contradicts the principles of the Iranian revolution."
Dr. Cohen argued that the imminent inauguration of Donald Trump as US president, known for his hawkish views against the Iranian regime, is also leading to a flare-up of protests in Iran.
In addition, Cohen noted that Iran encourages the emerging negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, since he portrays Israel as weak and succumbing to international pressure.
