After easing pressure on the population since last summer, Iran's rulers have unleashed a fierce crackdown in response to an unprecedented protest movement. Isolated by the weakening of its regional 'axis of resistance,' the regime appears to have turned to brute force as a survival strategy.

With fear, surveillance and brute force only set to increase, there are disturbing parallels with Saddam Hussein’s Iraq, says Sanam Vakil of Chatham House

Demonstrations have spread from the streets of Tehran to the rest of the country and Iranian diplomatic missions overseas. The deadly response of regime forces has left at least…