The recent anti-government demonstrations in Iran have once again highlighted its stark political divisions. The country remains tense after clashes between security forces and tens of thousands of opposition supporters in December. Eight people died on Ashura, one of the holiest days in the Shia Muslim calendar. Iran has been simmering since protests erupted after Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won the disputed Presidential elections in June. The pro-reformist opposition called the vote fraudulent but Irans government blamed western powers especially the U.S., UK and Israel for orchestrating those protests.

In this episode of Riz Khan we ask, how far will the Iranian government go in dealing with this ongoing political crisis? And what role, if any, should the international community play? Joining the conservation is Iranian-American journalist and writer Azadeh Moaveni, author of the book "Honeymoon in Tehran" about life under Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Also with us is political analyst Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich and former U.S. diplomat Hillary Mann-Leverett, who presently heads Stratega, a political risk consultancy that works on Middle East issues.