Amanpour

47 years ago today, Iran was declared an Islamic republic, after a year-long revolution that toppled a Shah and sent shockwaves throughout the world. And this anniversary sees the regime in its fiercest fight for survival yet. Last month, hundreds of thousands of Iranians rose up in protest, demanding change, before authorities brutally cracked down. The government itself admits to more than 3,000 deaths, but the real number could be in the tens of thousands, according to human rights groups. The violence and intimidation continue even in prison. Detained Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi has been viciously assaulted, according to the Nobel Committee, whose leader Jørgen Frydnes joins from Oslo. 

Also on today's show: Former Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen; Sara Khaki & Mohammadreza Eyni, co-directors of Oscar-nominated Iranian documentary "Cutting Through Rocks"; Scott Galloway, professor at the NYU Stern School of Business 

 
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Amidst tension in the Middle East, nuclear diplomacy progresses. Inside Iran, it's now more than a month since the brutal crackdown on political dissent began. Hadi Ghaemi Is Executive Director of the Center for Human Rights in Iran, researching and documenting rights violations there. He joins the show to discuss. 

Also on today's show: NPR Correspondent Brian Mann from the Olympics; Rappler CEO and Nobel Peace Prize laureated Maria Ressa 

 
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The children of Hong Kong democracy activist Jimmy Lai are speaking out after their 78-year old father was sentenced to 20 years in jail for violating national security laws. Lai, who is a British citizen, denies all charges, saying he's a political prisoner, the target of persecution from Beijing. Correspondent Kristie Lu Stout reports from Hong Kong. 

Also on today's show: Rush Doshi, Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations; Tom Tugendhat, British Conservative MP; Dara Massicot, senior fellow in the Russia and Eurasia Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; Former US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan 

 
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The United States is intensifying its focus on Cuba, after removing its ally Nicolas Maduro from Venezuela. Can Havana withstand the pressure?  Bianna Golodryga speaks to Cuba's deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio in a rare interview from Havana. And, the Brazilian film dazzling critics: "The Secret Agent." Oscar-nominated Wagner Moura and director Kleber Mendonca Filho join the program from New York. Then, a troubling report on the African men Russia is funneling to the frontlines in Ukraine. Plus, "Mr. Nobody Against Putin"...the Oscar-nominated documentary about a Russian teacher who caught on video the Kremlin propaganda aimed at children. And from the archives, Christiane's 1988 trip to meet the singers vying to perform at the Calgary Opening Ceremonies.

 

Air date: February 7, 2026

 

Guests:

Carlos Fernández de Cossío

David Borenstein

Wagner Moura & Kleber Mendonça Filho
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Conflict is raging in more than 30 countries around the world, according to the Institute for Economics and Peace. Each conflict is creating a dire humanitarian situation for innocent civilians, but many aid organizations now call Sudan the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Volker Türk is the UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights. He just visited Sudan and joined the show to tell us what he saw there. 

Also on today's show: Director/writer Kleber Mendonça Filho and actor Wagner Moura, "The Secret Agent"; Jodi Kantor, Investigative Reporter, The New York Times 

 
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