Protests Meet Crackdown

Protests Meet Crackdown

Author: Negar Mortazavi January 11, 2026 Duration: 5:33

Negar Mortazavi speaks to Times Radio about anti-government protests in Iran, internet shutdown across the country, and the violent crackdown amid foreign military threats.


Hosted by journalist and commentator Negar Mortazavi, The Iran Podcast moves beyond the headlines to explore the complex realities of Iran. Each episode is built around thoughtful conversations that delve into the forces shaping the nation, from intricate political maneuvers and pressing social movements to the vibrant cultural expressions that define everyday life. This isn't about soundbites or superficial analysis; it's about providing context and nuance often missing from mainstream coverage. You'll hear from a range of voices, including experts, activists, and artists, all contributing to a deeper understanding of a country frequently simplified in the news. The discussions are grounded in Mortazavi's informed perspective, offering listeners a clearer window into the dynamics of power, resistance, and identity within Iranian society. Tuning into this podcast means engaging with the substance behind the stories, gaining insight into the historical threads and contemporary debates that are crucial for anyone trying to make sense of Iran's role in the world today. It’s an essential resource for those who seek more than a surface-level narrative, providing a platform for the detailed and often overlooked conversations about Iranian politics, society, and culture.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Iran Podcast
Podcast Episodes
A Fork in the Road [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:09
Episode 132. Negar Mortazavi joins a panel discussion on US-Iran nuclear talks, the dynamics in Tehran and Washington, and the role of Israel and Arab states. The panel was hosted at Cato Institute in Washington with Jon…
Iran’s Rivalry with the US in the Middle East [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:01
Episode 132. Negar Mortazavi speaks with Professor Mohsen Milani about his latest book “Iran’s Rise and Rivalry with the U.S. in the Middle East”
Can Trump and Tehran make a Deal? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:03
A conversation with Negar Mortazavi, Emma Ashford, Jon Hoffman, Trita Parsi, Sina Azodi, and moderated by Ryan Costello. Episode 130.
Trump vs Tehran [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:19
Negar Mortazavi speaks with Jon Hoffman at Cato Institute in Washington. Episode 129.
Failure of Maximum Pressure [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:13
Negar Mortazavi speaks to Hadi Kahalzadeh, an Iranian economist and sanctions expert at Brandeis University, about Trump’s policy of Maximum Pressure on Iran and why he thinks it is going to fail again. Episode 128.
Trump’s New Middle East Policy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:50
Negar Mortazavi speaks to Murtaza Hussain, foreign policy correspondent at Dropsite News, and Hooman Majd, Iranian-American journalist and author, about President Trump’s new Middle East policy. Episode 127.
Trump 2.0 and Iran [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:40
Negar Mortazavi, Senior Fellow at the Center for International Policy, speaks with Benjamin Friedman, policy director at Defense Priorities, and Trita Parsi, executive vice president at the Quincy Institute in Washington…
Iran-Gulf Relations [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:21
Dispatch from Rome: Negar Mortazavi speaks to Yousuf Al Bulushi, Sara Bazoobandi, and Abdulaziz Sager, about the future of Iran-GCC relations, Oman’s crucial role in mediation, the challenges and opportunities of the Ira…
Diplomacy is Not a Dirty Word [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:44
Negar Mortazavi in conversation with Steven Simon, Lara Friedman, Nader Hashemi, and Jon Hoffman, discussing US policy in the Middle East under Biden and Trump. This panel was hosted in person by the National Iranian Ame…
Israel, Iran, and the Next US President [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:29
Negar Mortazavi speaks to Harrison Mann, a former U.S. Army Officer and Middle East intelligence analyst who resigned over U.S. policy in Gaza. He is now a Senior Fellow at Win Without War in Washington.