Impact of America’s Move on Iranian Regime
The U.S. mission to extradite Nicolas Maduro, the former Venezuelan dictator, along with his wife, is further isolating Iran, which has been one of Maduro’s key supporters. Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned that one of the military operation’s goals is to disrupt the “comfortable conditions” in Venezuela that could benefit groups like Hezbollah and Iran.
This operation, named Absolute Resolve, arrives at a particularly troubling time for Iranian leaders. As we move into a new year, Iran’s supreme leader seems to be enacting his “escape plan” to seek refuge with President Vladimir Putin, especially in response to rising unrest among shopkeepers and students. This unrest includes chants of “Death to the Dictator,” a situation that seems to be spiraling out of their control.
Last year proved tough for the theocratic regime, and 2026 might be even more challenging. The Israeli Defense Forces significantly challenged Iran’s power, taking out many military and scientific leaders, and destabilizing its military presence in Lebanon and Gaza. Furthermore, U.S. military actions have compromised Iran’s nuclear capabilities. With economic conditions deteriorating—people struggling with low energy supplies and unreliable water—the Iranian currency has plummeted, now standing at an alarming rate of 1.2 million rials per dollar. Recently, President Trump cautioned that should the regime resort to violence against peaceful protesters, the U.S. would intervene. He made it clear that the U.S. feels prepared to act if necessary.
U.S. policy has primarily targeted Iran’s military capacities, boasting significant military actions, including operations last summer aimed at dismantling Iran’s nuclear ambitions. This achievement marked a major foreign policy milestone for 2025, aligning with efforts to bolster Israel. During a recent meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Trump was asked if he would support an Israeli strike against Iran over its missile activities, to which he affirmed he would.
In the past couple of years, especially during notable protests in Iran, the America First Institute has shared strategies aimed at supporting the Iranian public. It’s crucial, they argue, to keep pressing the mullahs by empowering people, potentially through modern communication technologies.
The president’s comments, as noted in various platforms, could play a part in saving lives while potentially uniting allies. However, it’s essential to recognize that his messages do not overtly indicate a focus on Iranian internal matters, despite strong implications. Iran has been proactive against dissent within its diaspora, which has led some European nations to impose sanctions on the country and its Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). Now could be the moment to rally more allies to label the Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization, following U.S. actions from 2019.
Another important point revolves around the nature of protests and their underlying causes. Issues like apostasy from Islam, the refusal to wear hijabs, and LGBTQ rights are all significant triggers for protests, especially in a regime that imposes harsh penalties on such matters. These topics greatly resonate with those currently demonstrating across Iranian cities.
As the situation unfolds, it’s crucial for the U.S. to keep a close eye on developments beyond Iran’s borders. With Iran now facing weakened military, political, and economic positions, it may look for new ways to escalate regional tensions to distract from its internal issues.
We might be on the brink of dismantling one of the most malevolent forces of the post-World War II era. The regime’s fall could not only shift the balance of power in the Middle East but also hamper the aspirations of global players like Beijing and Moscow.
