There are 92 million people in Iran, but the protests took place all over the country (400 cities and towns). He insists he will run Syria as a democratic state tolerant of all religions, and we should all wish him well, of course. Even if the non-violent protests in Iran this week had not been drowned in blood, the odds were always against a happy ending to their protests against Iran's entrenched religious dictatorship. It's all about staying in the limelight, but not with the goal of helping the Iranian protesters whom he told on Jan 13 to "keep protesting -- take over your institutions!!! This week's threats are about forcing Iran to "COME TO THE TABLE and negotiate a fair and equitable deal" on its nuclear weapons programme.

Source: Bangkok Post January 29, 2026 23:56 UTC