Broad-based Iranian protest movement yet to answer who rules if the mullahs fall

Jan 13, 2026 - 18:00
Broad-based Iranian protest movement yet to answer who rules if the mullahs fall
The nationwide protests surging across Iran this month have emerged as one of the greatest threats to the clerical rulers of Iran since the founding of the Islamic republic in 1979. But after four decades of hardline theocratic leaders, it's not clear who will emerge to take over in Tehran if the mullahs fall.