JERUSALEM – President-elect Donald Trump's planned revival of the maximum pressure campaign against the Islamic Republic of Iran, combined with chronic gas shortages in the country, could bring down the world's worst state sponsor of terrorism, according to an official. It could be a one-two punch to make this happen. Famous experts.
“This gas shortage inside Iran is extremely significant and exposes the regime's growing vulnerability on multiple fronts, from the defeat of Hezbollah and Hamas in the conflict with Israel to the Houthis in Yemen. “We see a consistent loss of influence for the regime, from the defeat of the Assad regime to the collapse of the Syrian regime under Assad,” Lisa Daftari, Iran expert and editor-in-chief of Foreign Desk, told Fox News. told Digital.
He added: “Add to this the plummeting rial and the stunning mismanagement of resources, despite sanctions relief and billions of dollars handed over in lopsided deals under Biden’s watch, and the administration It is no surprise that we are under immense pressure.”
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TEHRAN, IRAN – DECEMBER 19: A traffic light during a power outage across the country, including the Iranian capital Tehran, on December 19, 2024. In Iran, where power supply problems are widespread, a phenomenon normally experienced in summer has extended into winter this year. Schools and public institutions are closed in many cities due to power outages, but online education will continue in some areas. (Fateme Bahrami/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“President Trump is likely to return to a leadership stance that emphasizes maximum pressure, potentially leaving the Iranian people in an environment ripe for demanding regime change,” Daftari said.
Widespread power outages and severe shortages of gas for households have rattled Iran's rulers. The rulers of Iran, who are quick to impose violence on popular dissent, have deep fears of social and political unrest.
Nationwide protests over fuel prices and a violent crackdown on women who do not properly wear the mandatory hijab rocked the Tehran regime in 2019 and 2022.
In 2019, Fox News Digital reported that the Iranian regime killed at least 106 people who protested against fuel price increases. Three years later, in 2022, the regime's notorious public morals police murdered a young woman, Masha Amini, for not covering her hair properly. The 2022 protests have turned into widespread nationwide calls for the dissolution of the Islamic Republic.
Iran's attorney general has issued instructions to prevent unrest due to power and gas outages, the London-based Iranian International Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
Demonstrators protest against the regime in Iran in 2022. (Credit: NCRI)
Iranian Attorney General Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei said: “The Attorney General and prosecutors' authorities across the country will work directly with intelligence, security and law enforcement agencies and take all appropriate measures to stabilize and strengthen security. Arrangements should be made,'' he reportedly said. And, as before, and even more resolutely, we will take relevant measures to neutralize enemy plots that create insecurity. ”
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TEHRAN, IRAN – DECEMBER 19: The state of a store on December 19, 2024, during a power outage across the country, including Tehran, the capital of Iran. Power outages are common in Iran, where power supply problems are widespread. The summer experience continued into winter this year. Schools and public institutions are closed in many cities due to power outages, but online education will continue in some areas. (Fateme Bahrami/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Despite Iran's vast natural gas and oil reserves, years of underinvestment, economic mismanagement, corruption, and sanctions have left the energy sector ill-prepared for seasonal price spikes. are.
The Islamic Republic has also funneled huge sums of money to terrorist groups Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza over the years. Matthew Levitt, a counterterrorism expert at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said Iran funnels about $700 million to $1 billion a year to Hezbollah, while Hamas sets aside $100 million a year.
President-elect Donald Trump points to America Fest in Phoenix on Sunday, December 22, 2024. On Monday, President Trump promised to have the Justice Department pursue the death penalty following President Biden's move to commute the death sentences of 37 inmates. (AP Photo/Rick Scutelli)
The Iranian rial fell to an all-time low on Dec. 18, losing more than 10% of its value since Trump won the presidential election in November, a move that remains embroiled in escalating wars across the Middle East. This suggests new challenges.
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On February 25, 2019, Iranian religious leader Ayatollah Khamenei (right) meets with Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad (left) in Tehran, Iran. (Iranian Leadership Press/Materials/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Iran's central bank has in the past flooded the market with more hard currency in an effort to boost interest rates.
The currency plunged on Wednesday as Iran ordered the closure of schools, universities and government offices as the energy crisis worsened due to harsh winter conditions. The crisis follows summer power outages and is now exacerbated by bitter cold, snow and air pollution.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
