Iran's regime under 'great pressure' amid incoming Trump administration policies, regional losses, economic problems
JERUSALEM—President-elect Donald Trump's planned renewal of his crackdown on the Islamic Republic of Iran and the country's chronic gas shortages may be the one-piece solution to the world's worst sponsor of terrorism, according to one. an outstanding expert.
“This shortage of gas inside Iran is very important and reveals the growing weakness of the regime in many areas. Since the defeat of Hezbollah and Hamas in their conflicts with Israel, and the loss of the Houthis in Yemen and the collapse of the Syrian regime under Assad, we see a steady deterioration of the influence of the regime, ” Lisa Daftari, an Iran expert and editor-in-chief of The Foreign Desk, told Fox. Digital News.
He continued, “Add to this the collapsing Rial and the incredible mismanagement of resources despite the easing of sanctions and the billions given in useless deals under Biden's watch – it's no wonder the regime is under so much pressure.”
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TEHRAN, IRAN – DECEMBER 19: A view of traffic lights as electricity is cut off across the country, including the capital, Tehran, Iran on December 19, 2024. In Iran, where power supply problems are rampant, blackouts that are often experienced during the summer have extended into the winter. this year. Due to the closure of schools, schools and government institutions are closed in many cities, while in some places education will continue online. (Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“As President Trump may return to a leadership style that emphasizes high pressure, the Iranian people may find themselves in a position to demand regime change,” Daftari said.
Widespread power outages and severe domestic gas shortages have troubled Iran's rulers. A major concern of social and political unrest is on the minds of the rulers who control Iran and are quick to impose violence on the dissident masses.
Nationwide protests over fuel prices and violent repression of women by not wearing the mandatory hijab have shaken the Tehran regime in 2019 and 2022.
In 2019, Fox News Digital reported that the Iranian regime killed at least 106 people protesting against rising fuel prices. Three years later, in 2022, the state police killed a young woman, Masha Amini, for not covering her hair properly. The 2022 protests turned into nationwide calls for the dissolution of the Islamic Republic.
According to a report on Tuesday by the London-based Iran International news agency, the head of Iran's judiciary has issued an order to prevent unrest due to electricity and gas cuts.
Protesters in Iran protest against the regime in 2022. (Credit: NCRI)
Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Ejei, the head of the judiciary in Iran is reported to have said that “The Prosecutor General and prosecutors throughout the country, in direct cooperation with the intelligence, security and law enforcement agencies, must take all appropriate measures and plans to stabilize and strengthen the security of people and citizens, and, as in the past, and even with great determination, take appropriate measures so that the enemy's plot to create insecurity…is neutral.”
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TEHRAN, IRAN – DECEMBER 19: A view of shops as electricity is cut across the country, including the capital, Tehran, Iran on December 19, 2024. In Iran, where power supply problems are common, blackouts are common. those experienced during summer have reached winter this year. Due to the closure of schools, schools and government institutions are closed in many cities, while in some places education will continue online. (Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Despite Iran's abundant natural gas and oil reserves, years of underinvestment, economic mismanagement, corruption and sanctions have left the energy sector unprepared to cope with seasonal increases.
The Islamic Republic has also invested heavily in its terrorist proxies, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, over the years. Matthew Levitt, a counter-terrorism expert at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said that Iran provides an estimated $700 million to $1 billion a year to Hezbollah and Hamas secures $100 million a year.
President-elect Donald Trump speaks at AmericaFest, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Phoenix. On Monday, Trump promised that the Justice Department would pursue the death penalty following President Biden's move to commute the death sentences of 37 inmates. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
The Iranian rial on December 18 fell to its lowest level in history, losing more than 10% of its value since Trump won the presidential election in November and showing new challenges for Tehran as it remains locked in the ongoing wars in the Middle East.
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Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (R) meets with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (L) in Tehran, Iran on February 25, 2019. (OFFICE OF THE IRANIAN LEADER / HANDOUT/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
The Central Bank of Iran has in the past flooded the market with hard currency in an attempt to improve the rate.
The currency fell as Iran ordered the closure of schools, universities and government offices on Wednesday due to an energy crisis fueling harsh winter conditions. The problem follows a summer of blackouts and is now compounded by extreme cold, snow and polluted air.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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