Iran is mired in its most severe "systemic crisis" since its founding: With Europe fully reinstating sanctions, Tehran has lost its diplomatic buffer, and the United States has restarted and escalated "maximum pressure" on energy, finance, and trade, triggering a rial collapse, runaway inflation, and supply chain disruptions. Amid nationwide demonstrations, the authorities responded with internet shutdowns and military crackdowns, but this has only accelerated the solidification of generational gaps and social mobilization, further sharpening the divide between the regime and public opinion. This tug-of-war, extending from economic collapse to state repression and grassroots resilience, symbolizes a deep void in governance and indicates that the international order is at a critical juncture of readjustment. The Iranian issue has transcended the technical aspects of nuclear and sanctions issues, becoming a key observation point for the global "rules-power" rebalancing, with spillover effects continuing to impact energy markets, maritime transport, and supply chain resilience.
[Current Affairs Analysis] Iran is in crisis
