"The situation in Iran has not changed, it has continued to deteriorate," says Michel Abdollahi in the 432nd episode "important today" in an interview with the editors. The podcast moderator has spoken to many journalists and human rights activists since the protests broke out in September 2022, and at the end of the year he took stock himself.

When Michel Abdollahi talks to relatives who live in Iran, it becomes clear again and again that everyday life there goes on. The country, he says, is not necessarily in a state of emergency, "but anywhere you can show civil disobedience, people will show it." The moderator believes that speaking of a "feminist revolution" is "complete nonsense": "That's simply wrong. It's a movement against this system that affects society as a whole." A protest that is different from many before: "It's a movement that arose through social media, that comes out of the people, is independent."

That's why it's incredibly important to look, says Michel Abdollahi. Because: "The moment our attention goes away, they do what they want there, and that's what people are afraid of." In recent months, the "today important" host has repeatedly complained that the federal government's reaction to the protests has to be cautious - something that he believes has not changed much: "Basically, it remains a big failure, what happened there." He was surprised by the ignorance of politicians and EU representatives about Iran and the system: "In the end, that really frightened me." In addition, the German government in particular is very hesitant about Iran: "Because you don't want to mess with economic relations."

Sure, opinionated, on the 12: "important today" is not just a news podcast. We set topics and initiate debates - with attitude and sometimes uncomfortable. Host Michel Abdollahi and his team of stern and RTL reporters speak to the most exciting people from politics, society and entertainment. They let all voices have their say, both the quiet and the loud. Anyone who hears "important today" starts the day well-informed and can have a well-founded say.

Looking ahead to next year, Michel Abdollahi says: "Nobody can really say for sure what's going to happen." It is in the hands of the Iranian people on the one hand, and ours on the other, to ensure that these protests and the injustices that are happening do not go unnoticed, nor go unpunished. The power to share something, to comment, is "infinitely great": "Together we are loud."