Political Thinking with Nick Robinson 'This is Iran's Berlin Wall moment': Omid Djalili, comedian and actor
12 snips
Feb 27, 2026 Omid Djalili, British-Iranian comedian and actor known for stand-up and film roles, reflects on protesting Iran, diaspora activism and calls for targeted action. He recalls growing up in London’s Iranian community, performing under scrutiny and choosing roles and gigs carefully. He also discusses revolution history from Berlin to Czechoslovakia and why he monitors and amplifies protest footage online.
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Iran's Berlin Wall Moment
- Omid Djalili calls Iran's uprising a Berlin Wall moment demanding the regime's removal rather than softened negotiations.
- He compares Reagan's 'bring it down' approach to demands inside Iran and rejects mere compromise with the regime.
Diaspora Lives On Telegram Footage
- Djalili says the diaspora's daily routine is dominated by watching Telegram channels and VPN-fed footage because Iran routinely shuts the internet during crackdowns.
- He frames diaspora activism as amplifying 'the voice of the voiceless' while verifying videos despite connectivity limits.
Negotiations Miss The Protesters' Goal
- Djalili argues negotiations focused only on nuclear issues insult protesters who demand regime change after tens of thousands killed.
- He distinguishes between the Iranian army and the IRGC, identifying the IRGC as the regime's repressive tool that must be neutralized.
