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Current Iran Protests May Lead to Real Change
(Israel Hayom) Danny Zaken - On at least three occasions, President Trump has issued warnings to the Iranian regime over its repression of the protests, and over the weekend he said, "Iran is in big trouble. It looks like the protesters are taking over several cities, which did not seem likely a few weeks ago. If they kill protesters, we will hit them very hard. That does not mean boots on the ground." Protesters are already being killed in Iran, and the world is waiting to see whether the president's threats will be carried out. Security officials say Israel is closely following developments but has no offensive intentions. However, among Israeli intelligence and assessment officials, the belief is growing that the current protests will lead to real change in Iran - even if not necessarily the fall of the regime, at least a substantial weakening. It is expected that the regime will fight for its survival through an escalating use of live fire against protesters. But that weapon is far less effective than in the past. A key reason is the broad range of sectors participating in the protests and the effective organization of the demonstrations, both in Tehran and especially in the periphery, in minority regions led by Kurds, Baluchis and others.