The turmoil continues, the demonstrators are still in the streets and the political situation is uncertain. No one really knows what Iran will look like when this is over but we talked with a few analysts here in Israel about their views on what's happening in the Islamic Republic.
Yossi Kupperweiser, former head of IDF (Israel Defense Forces) intelligence, told CBN News the demonstrations undermine the Obama administration's goal of "engaging" this regime. He said any possibility of a dialogue now would "be detached from reality." In the broader Middle East picture, he feels this is a major setback for the Islamic radicals. He also said depending on how this plays out, the regime might try to move even faster (if it's possible) on their drive for a nuclear weapon.
Islamic scholar Moshe Sharon noted that the ayatollahs have tremendous power. They have followers all over the country and millions of Basij (its paramilitary force) ready to sacrifice their lives. It's clear they are already brutally suppressing the demonstrators. For example, the video of Neda, the young Iranian woman killed by the Basij, is spreading on the Internet (be advised, it's disturbing video). While deeply troubling, some see her death caught on camera as a rallying cry for this nascent movement.
Middle East analyst Barry Rubin told us he believes the single most important development is that the regime itself has now been exposed. From now on, it will harder to have illusions about Iran's leaders. He said if they'll do something so provocative as steal an election and brutally suppress dissent for the world to see, what does this say they might do if they ever possess nuclear weapons?
These demonstrations could also have an enormous impact on some of Israel's worst enemies, Hezbollah on its northern border and Hamas on its southern border. Without the support, money and arms Iran supplies, it could seriously weaken these radical groups.
It remains to be seen how events will unfold, but certain things are clear.
Iran's reputation around the world has - literally - been bloodied. The veneer of invincibility surrounding the mullahs has been shattered. Some analysts say this movement might be suppressed by the ayatollahs in the next few days or weeks.
But regardless of what happens, the seeds of freedom - often born in blood like Neda's - have been planted in Iran. No ayatollah can stop those seeds from growing.