Media and universities are receiving money and business from Qatar, and Qatar is pro Iran. So there is a monetary interest. The protest backers can also blackmail to get things Iran wants by threatening to act up and cause unrest here, especially in an election year.
By bring Fithian into this, it is an indicator of an intent to go violent.
Iran wants to destabilize us $$$$
Russia wants to destabilize us $$$$$
China wants to destabilize us $$$$$$$$$
Yet no one is following the money!