Irish Examiner view: Is Iran’s regime at tipping point?

Death of Mahsa Amini

A woman shouts slogans next to an Iranian flag during a protest against the death of Iranian Mahsa Amini, outside Iran's general consulate in Istanbul, Turkey,

Those with long memories may recall the general surprise when Iran was taken over by the Ayatollah Khomeini and his followers over 40 years ago.

It seemed inconceivable in 1979 that such a hard-line theocrat could gain enough popular support to seize power in a modern nation, but he did. In the intervening decades, Iran has become a byword for repressive policies and restricted freedoms.