What's Really Happening Inside Iran | Siyamak Khorrami
California Insider
Apr 16, 2026 California Insider Podcast
The conflict in Iran reads very differently up close than it does from a distance. For most people watching from the outside, the story is incomplete.
California Insider host Siyamak Khorrami grew up in Iran and has direct contact with people there right now. What emerges is a portrait of a country where the tension between the government and the people it governs has been building for decades. In this conversation, he walks through what that tension looks like from the inside and who actually holds the power to change it.
This video features Siyamak Khorrami, host of California Insider, discussing the current socio-political situation in Iran from the perspective of someone who grew up there and maintains direct contact with its people. The conversation, hosted by Jim Reheimer, covers several critical themes:
The Reality in Iran:
Disconnect between people and the regime:Khorrami explains that the Iranian government is not representative of its 90 million citizens, with an estimated 80% or more opposing the regime (0:58 - 1:25, 9:49 - 10:20).
History of repression: He details decades of state-sponsored violence against protesters, ranging from student uprisings to recent movements, noting that the regime often uses extreme brutality, including lethal force and violence within hospitals (2:20 - 4:07, 7:09 - 9:39, 20:33 - 21:41).
Economic and Social Struggles: The country has suffered from significant currency devaluation, corruption, and infrastructure failure, leading to deep public frustration (1:38 - 1:58, 4:46 - 4:58).
Geopolitics and Propaganda:
Internal Power Dynamics:Khorrami describes the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) as a "shadow government" that controls roughly 70% of the economy, complicating any potential negotiations with the US (12:35 - 12:49, 13:30 - 13:58).
Media Manipulation: He highlights the prevalence of propaganda in international media, where pro-regime voices—sometimes linked to foreign interests like the CCP—influence the narrative to obscure the true level of dissent in Iran (16:38 - 19:24).
Professional Background and New Projects:
Siyamak Khorrami's Journey: The latter part of the conversation (29:42 - 35:05) explores Khorrami’s personal history, from leaving Iran at 16 to his work in China, which eventually led him into journalism and his role at The Epoch Times.
Market Insider: He introduces his new show, Market Insider, which focuses on business, economy, and helping viewers navigate disinformation in financial reporting (24:31 - 27:39).