Khamenei's regime faces reckoning as aggression alienates Iranians - opinion

As Iran's aging autocrat Ali Khamenei doubles down on confrontation with Israel and the United States, the nation stands at a historic crossroads.

US President Donald Trump seen over an Iranian flag (illustrative) (photo credit: REUTERS, SHUTTERSTOCK)
US President Donald Trump seen over an Iranian flag (illustrative)
(photo credit: REUTERS, SHUTTERSTOCK)

Boldly confronting both Israel and the United States, Iran's autocratic regime, led by Ali Khamenei, is doubling down on a path of aggression.

This combative approach has not only heightened international tensions but has also pushed the nation towards the edge of military conflict. As the specter of war looms, Iran’s internal stability crumbles under the weight of its leader's relentless pursuit of power.

The Iranian mullah’s regime, under the iron-fisted rule of Ali Khamenei, is ruthlessly pursuing a path of hostility and war. This irrational approach in international relations, characterized by a combative stance towards both Israel and the United States, has significantly heightened tensions, raising the specter of military engagement.

The situation in Iran remains dangerously unstable and unpredictable, with continued provocations likely to escalate into open conflict.

Ali Khamenei steadfastly navigates a confrontational course with both Israel and the United States, determined to challenge them without yielding to Donald Trump—a leader known for his limited patience with protracted, insincere negotiations.

A gas flare on an oil production platform in the Soroush oil fields is seen alongside an Iranian flag in the Persian Gulf, Iran, July 25, 2005 (credit: RAHEB HOMAVANDI/REUTERS)
A gas flare on an oil production platform in the Soroush oil fields is seen alongside an Iranian flag in the Persian Gulf, Iran, July 25, 2005 (credit: RAHEB HOMAVANDI/REUTERS)

On the one hand, Trump's foreign policy marks a departure from those of his predecessors. On the other hand, Khamenei shows a steadfast reluctance to engage in substantive talks.

Khamenei's strategy aims to thwart any diplomatic victories Trump might claim. Both tactical compromises and superficial retreats have fallen short in dealing with figures such as Netanyahu and Trump, highlighting a clash of intransigent wills.

From the beginning, Ali Khamenei has relied on stalling tactics, aiming to prolong conflicts to maintain his flexibility and uphold his carefully crafted image.

In the USA, under a Democratic administration, there likely would have been a continuation of policies that appeased the Islamic Republic, reminiscent of the approaches taken by Carter, Obama, and Biden, which often overlooked the regime's atrocities. However, with Trump's ascension and the establishment of his security-focused administration, Khamenei recognized that his usual cunning maneuvers would not suffice against a firm ally of Israel.

Moreover, the powerful elite surrounding Khamenei are similarly disinclined to compromise. The Shiite dictator, irrational and stubborn, clings to his missile programs, terrorist networks among the regional proxies, and nuclear aspirations, knowing that the fall of his regime would likely precipitate his personal demise.


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This reckless leader of the self-styled Islamic Caliphate refuses to disarm, fully aware that without his instruments of terror, the Islamic Republic’s facade as a brutal regime would be irrevocably exposed.

The recent resignations of two cabinet members, alongside Pezeshkian, the president known for his deception and subservience, mark a stark pivot towards a more militaristic approach, signaling that the regime is not only bracing for conflict but is also spiraling into deeper domestic vulnerability. This shift toward militarization suggests a desperate attempt to distract from escalating internal pressures and suppression —a tactic that history shows is often a precursor to dramatic political upheavals.

Pursuing militaristic agenda

In Iran, the relentless pursuit of a militaristic agenda under the guise of national defense is eroding the very fabric of societal stability. As economic conditions worsen and public dissent grows, the regime's aggressive postures may be inadvertently setting the stage for its own undoing. Historical precedents demonstrate how prolonged aggression can accelerate a regime's collapse by alienating the populace and overextending its governance capacity.

As long as this rogue Junta regime prevails, progress remains an impossibility. Yet, the increasing unpopularity of the regime, combined with its unsustainable aggressive policies, could catalyze a shift towards a transformative era. The Iranian people, historically resilient and proud, may soon find that the cost of enduring tyranny is too great to bear, potentially leading to a surge in demands for fundamental change.

For 36 years, the Iranian dictatorship of Khamenei has been characterized by warmongering, folly, and malice. Both Khamenei, the 86-year-old disreputable dictator in Tehran who places himself above all legal frameworks, and his puppet president, Pezeshkian, have perpetuated a legacy of lies, deception, and empty promises.

Despite the Iranian people’s profound exhaustion and disgust with the despotic rule of terror-driven mullahs, the enduring pride rooted in Iran’s storied history remains unbroken. The silence of the Iranian populace is not passive; it is dangerously poised on the edge of revolt, with internal upheaval increasingly likely to lead to regime change.

A century ago, Reza Shah the Great, a nationalistic King, liberated Iran from the destructive grasp of the Qajar dynasty. Today, as Nowruz approaches, the nation teeters on the brink of rebellion against the malevolent mullahs’ mafia and the detested rule of brazen clerics—a vivid testament to the ongoing clash between fanatic Islamist and nationalist forces.

In the Nowruz of 1979, Khomeini proclaimed the establishment of a divine government. The decades since have revealed the true nature of this Khomeinist regime: brutal, regressive, and universally scorned, teetering on the precipice of inevitable collapse. The potential leadership of Prince Reza Pahlavi during this critical transition looms large; without his guidance, Iran risks descending into civil war. Nevertheless, the ultimate arbiters of Iran’s future will be its people.

Should Israel and America succeed in neutralizing the nuclear threat from the Iranian dictator, a historic window of opportunity could open. Failure to do so, however, allows this malignant force to continue its catastrophic spread.

The potential destruction of Iran’s nuclear facilities, prompted by the dictator’s own aggression and folly, would empower the Iranian people to pave the way for the emergence of a new Middle East—one free from the shackles of Shiite clerical rule. This vision, as hopeful as it is transformative, anticipates no tears for the downfall of this religious and terroristic tyrant.

As the echoes of the past 19 nationwide anti-regime protests resonate, Iran stands at a historic crossroads. The regime’s unyielding aggression and disregard for both domestic welfare and international norms have set the stage for its potential downfall.

The international community, particularly allies like the United States and Israel, must seize this moment to intensify pressure on Tehran’s rulers. Supporting the Iranian people’s aspirations for freedom and governance that respects human rights and dignity is crucial.

By denying the regime the tools of oppression—specifically, its nuclear ambitions—we not only neutralize a global threat but also empower Iranians to reclaim their future. This moment, fraught with peril yet ripe with opportunity, demands decisive action to end the cycle of tyranny and terror.

A liberated Iran could mark the dawn of a new era in the Middle East, one where peace and prosperity can finally flourish. The world must stand ready to support a free Iran, ensuring that the collapse of the theocratic regime opens the door to a hopeful, democratic future.

Today, the Russian dictator, who benefited from Khamenei's partnership in war crimes against Ukraine, wants to mediate between Trump and Khamenei. However, it is unclear what dream the former KGB colonel has envisioned for Iran. In Tehran, a heavy silence prevails, and no one knows which path the Iran dictator will choose.

One of Trump’s most critical achievements was the elimination of the notorious terrorist of Quds Force, Qasem Soleimani, along with his decision to withdraw from the flawed Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA). These actions humiliated the Tehran regime, demonstrating that a position of strength is the only language the mullahs understand.

Later, Netanyahu has long adhered to a similar strategy, making both leaders widely respected among Iranians who openly hope for US and Israeli intervention to topple the Tehran regime. This sentiment is no longer a secret—it is a growing reality.