Donald Trump prepares to attack Iran, Islamic Republic is in a very weak position

Donald Trump's team is reportedly working on new sanctions and strategies for actions against Iran, according to *The Wall Street Journal*.

The report highlights that the Islamic Republic is facing a particularly vulnerable period in 2024, grappling with a severe economic crisis and significant setbacks across the Middle East. The publication predicts that 2025 could prove even more challenging for Iran under the renewed Trump administration.

Iran’s economy has been severely weakened by mismanagement, corruption, and existing sanctions, with power shortages causing disruptions to government operations, education, and industrial production. The country’s military influence has also diminished due to Israel's strikes on its allies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and the collapsed Assad regime in Syria, along with damage to Iran's air defenses.

The ongoing challenges represent the most significant threat to Iran’s clerical leadership since 2022, when mass protests erupted following the death of a young woman in police custody for allegedly wearing an improper veil. That unrest was violently suppressed, resulting in hundreds of deaths, according to human-rights organizations.

While current protests over economic issues remain relatively limited, Iran’s regime appears increasingly vulnerable. Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa program at Chatham House, described these challenges as the most profound in years, potentially pressuring Tehran to seek compromises with Western nations.

However, Iranian foreign policy analyst Ghasem Mohebali noted that hardliners within Iran oppose lifting sanctions, fearing that economic normalization could weaken their control. He explained that hardliners in Iran, as well as other global powers like the U.S., Russia, and China, often benefit from sustained instability in the Middle East to further their respective agendas.