Iran's leaders are building a bigger domestic crackdown force instead of fixing the economy, which is bad news for ordinary Iranians and for any peace deal with Washington.

• After January's crackdown killed tens of thousands of protesters, hardliners concluded repression works and are expanding the force that carried it out.
• Hundreds of thousands of volunteers, including boys as young as 15, are being signed up and given weapons training under the Basij, Iran's internal security arm.
• The economy keeps collapsing — the rial hit a record low and groceries cost nearly twice what they did a year ago.
• Much of the pain is self-inflicted: hardliners rejected a deal offering sanctions relief and a huge reconstruction fund rather than give up their grip on the Strait of Hormuz.
• With the Supreme Leader unseen for seven months, rival commanders are maneuvering for power, and the new Basij chief is suspected of building a private army.

Outlook: The conditions that sparked January's uprising are worse, not better, so another round of protests looks likely — and the regime has already shown how it will answer.