Just weeks before President Trump’s war began, Iran was in the midst of a powerful wave of anti-regime protests spreading across the country. But once the war started, that momentum largely came to a halt. The conflict shifted the focus from dissent to survival and gave the regime an opening to crack down harder. With tighter controls, heightened fear, and everyday life suddenly more precarious, people pulled back from the streets. The protests may have paused, but the resentments that fueled them haven’t gone anywhere. To unpack what this war means for Iran’s democracy movement — both inside the country and in the diaspora — I’m joined by an exceptional guest, Nazanin Boniadi. Nazanin is an Iranian-British actress and political activist, born in Iran and raised in London.