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Iran has executed over 2,200 people in 2025 alone. Is this a sign of power — or a regime on the brink of collapse?

In this episode of The Middle Ground Mic, Joe is joined by Zolal Habibi, a human rights and women’s rights advocate and member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI).

They discuss Iran’s escalating executions, mass arrests, nationwide protests, internet shutdowns, and why women and young people are increasingly leading the resistance. Zolal explains why both foreign intervention and diplomatic appeasement have failed — and what a real, Iranian-led alternative could look like.

This episode explores:
• Why executions spike when regimes lose control
• The role of women in Iran’s resistance movement
• The legacy of the 1988 massacre
• Why Iranians reject war and dictatorship alike
• What accountability without invasion looks like

A grounded, honest conversation about Iran’s future — and why it matters to the world.

RESOURCES & LINKS:
Learn more about the Iranian resistance:
https://maryamrajavi4change.com

National Council of Resistance of Iran:
https://www.ncr-iran.org

Iran Human Rights Monitoring:
https://iran-hrm.com

Organization of Iranian American Communities:
https://oiac.org

Iran Freedom:
https://iranfreedom.org

Chapters

00:00 The State of Iran: Fear and Control
02:46 Uprisings and Resistance: A Historical Perspective
05:23 The Role of Leadership in the Iranian Resistance
08:02 The Nature of Protests: Unity and Diversity
10:57 The Impact of Internet Shutdowns on Communication
13:30 The Psychological Warfare of the Regime
16:18 The Evolution of Resistance Units
19:00 The Role of Women in the Resistance
21:54 The Roadmap for a Free Iran
24:50 Empowerment Through Perseverance
27:08 The 10-Point Plan for a Free Iran
31:08 The Regime's Last Chapter
37:04 International Accountability and Support
43:30 Connecting for Change

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