JERUSALEM – President-elect Donald Trump’s plans to revive his maximum pressure campaign against the Islamic Republic of Iran coupled with the country’s chronic gas shortage could be a one-two punch to the world’s worst state-sponsor of terrorism. Could be overthrown, according to a leading expert.
“This shortage of gas inside Iran is highly significant and highlights the regime’s growing vulnerabilities on multiple fronts. From the defeat of Hezbollah and Hamas in their conflicts with Israel, to the loss of the Houthis in Yemen and the collapse of the Syrian regime under Assad.” “By the fall, we are seeing a steady decline in regime influence,” Lisa Daftari, an Iran expert and editor-in-chief of The Foreign Desk, told Fox News Digital.
He added, “Add to this the collapse of the rial and the staggering mismanagement of resources despite the easing of sanctions and the billions of dollars handed out through lopsided deals under Biden’s watch – it is no surprise that the regime is highly Under pressure.”
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TEHRAN, IRAN – DECEMBER 19: A view of traffic lights due to power outages across the country, including in the capital of Iran, Tehran, on December 19, 2024. In Iran, where power supply issues are prevalent, power outages that are typically experienced during the summer have increased in the winter this year. The cuts have led to the closure of schools and public institutions in many cities, while education will continue online in some areas. (Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“If President Trump is likely to return to a leadership stance that emphasizes maximum pressure, the Iranian people may find themselves in an environment suitable for demanding regime change,” Daftari said.
Widespread blackouts and severe shortages of gas in homes have shocked Iran’s rulers. There is intense concern about social and political unrest among the rulers who control Iran and are quick to impose violence on mass dissent.
Nationwide protests over fuel prices and violent repression of women for not wearing the mandatory hijab properly rocked the Tehran regime in 2019 and 2022.
In 2019, Fox News Digital reported that Iran’s regime executed at least 106 people who protested against fuel price increases. Three years later, in 2022, the regime’s notorious morality police murdered a young woman, Masha Amini, for not adequately covering her hair. The 2022 protests grew into a nationwide call for the dissolution of the Islamic Republic.
The head of Iran’s judiciary sent a directive to prevent unrest due to power and gas cuts, the London-based Iran International news organization reported on Tuesday.
Protesters in Iran are protesting against the regime in 2022. (Credit: NCRI)
Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Eze, head of Iran’s judiciary, reportedly said, “Attorneys general and prosecutors across the country, in direct cooperation with intelligence, security and law enforcement agencies, will take all appropriate measures to stabilize and strengthen security and Arrangements should be made.” people and civilians, and, as before, with even greater determination, take relevant measures so that the enemy’s conspiracy to create insecurity is neutralized.”
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TEHRAN, IRAN – DECEMBER 19: A view of shops due to power cuts across the country, including in the capital of Iran, Tehran, on December 19, 2024. In Iran, where power supply issues are prevalent, power outages commonly experienced during the summer have increased in the winter this year. The cuts have led to the closure of schools and public institutions in many cities, while education will continue online in some areas. (Fatemeh 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 unprepared for a seasonal boom.
The Islamic Republic has poured massive amounts of money into its terrorist proxies, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, over the past few years. Matthew Levitt, a counterterrorism expert at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, has said that Iran provides about $700 million to $1 billion per year to Hezbollah and secures $100 million per year to Hamas.
President-elect Donald Trump speaks at AmericaFest in Phoenix on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. On Monday, Trump promised the Justice Department to move forward with executions following President Biden’s move to commute the death sentences of 37 inmates. (AP Photo/Rick Scutari)
On December 18, the Iranian rial fell to its lowest level in history, losing more than 10% of its value since Trump won the presidential election in November and signaling new challenges for Tehran as it moves across the Middle East. Remain trapped in wars.
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Iran’s religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (right) meets with Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad (left) in Tehran, Iran, on February 25, 2019. (Iranian Leader Press Office/Handout/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Iran’s Central Bank has flooded the market with more hard currencies in the past in an attempt to prop up rates.
Iran ordered the closure of schools, universities and government offices on Wednesday as harsh winter conditions fuel a worsening energy crisis, sending the currency plunging. The crisis follows summer blackouts and has now become even more serious due to extreme cold, snowfall and air pollution.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
