James Durso
Regional Setbacks: Iran's influence in the Middle East suffered major blows. Israel attacked its embassy in Damascus, and key allies Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and the Assad regime in Syria faced defeats, weakening Iran's "Axis of Resistance." (Hamas, though, has regrouped, taking some of the sting out of that setback.)
Economic Crisis: Iran's economy continued to deteriorate, with the Iranian rial plunging to its lowest historical value. The economic crisis was exacerbated by renewed U.S. sanctions and continued corruption and mismanagement.
Political Isolation: Diplomatically, Iran faced isolation as Hezbollah agreed to a cease-fire with Israel, mandating the withdrawal of Hezbollah’s troops from southern Lebanon, stripping Iran of a key avenue for military influence.
Leadership Crisis: The sudden death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash created a power vacuum and intensified factional disputes within the regime.
Domestic Unrest: Public dissatisfaction with the government grew due to economic hardship, political repression, and complaints about the cost of foreign proxies. Protests and large-scale demonstrations highlighted the growing disconnect between the state and its citizens.
These challenges collectively placed the Iranian regime in a vulnerable position, with growing internal and external pressures, including one named Donald J. Trump.
In 2025, the pressure on Iran won’t ease.
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