Abbas Abdi, a former intelligence interrogator turned so-called “reformist” commentator, issued a grave warning to Iran’s ruling establishment, cautioning that the regime’s inability to address fundamental economic and political issues is pushing the country toward a widespread social explosion.
In a Nowruz interview with Khabar Online—a media outlet reportedly aligned with former Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani—Abdi criticized the government’s incompetence in implementing promised reforms.
Abdi, who has long attempted to present himself as a moderate voice within the regime’s complex power structure, acknowledged that the Iranian people have lost faith in the political system. He stated, “The political system lacks the trust of the people. It is evident that protests in the future will be much more widespread unless the political system decides to resolve some of these issues.”
#Iranian Officials and Analysts Sound Alarm Over Imminent Social Explosionhttps://t.co/Ag4aIychti
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) March 29, 2025
Highlighting the regime’s internal dysfunction, Abdi bluntly remarked that the regime’s president Masoud Pezeshkian’s popularity has “halved” since taking office. He attributed this rapid decline to the regime’s failure to fulfill promises made to the public. Abdi criticized Pezhkian’s government for its inability to make even minimal progress on its pledges. “He promised to lift internet filtering. If he can’t, he should step down,” Abdi declared, signaling his frustration with the regime’s bureaucratic inertia.
In one of his most striking statements, Abdi warned of a brewing nationwide uprising: “Now all these issues have converged. The next protests will be far more widespread. Unless the political system decides to resolve some of these issues.”
He emphasized that the regime’s strategy of relying on coercive force is unsustainable and highlighted the contradictory nature of its approach. “If the political system wants, it can shut down pressure groups within a day. But it won’t, because it relies on them for survival,” Abdi noted.
#Iranian Regime Officials Admit to Systemic Looting, Economic Collapsehttps://t.co/3jvwplPBaM
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) March 27, 2025
The interview also revealed Abdi’s concern about the increasing alienation of the younger generation, particularly Generation Z, from the regime. He remarked on their refusal to engage with the regime’s framework and noted that dissatisfaction has permeated various segments of society, from workers and women to retirees and students.
Abdi’s remarks reflect a growing sense of alarm within segments of the regime that claim to pursue reforms. However, his comments ultimately reveal the entrenched nature of the crisis facing the clerical regime—one that he acknowledges could erupt into widespread protests if left unaddressed.