Iran’s dreams shattered in the Middle East, what are the options now and what can happen next?

Iran’s Prediction: Power and Challenges

Iran, which has long emerged as a major power in the Middle East, is now facing several internal and external challenges. The changing events in Syria and domestic dissent have posed a challenge to Iran’s power. While Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei claims that the country is now stronger than before, recent events suggest that Iran’s influence and power are undergoing a shift. This raises the question of what direction Iran will take in the future and whether it can maintain its existence.

Iran’s Power Network and Its History

Over several decades, Iran has built a strong power network, ranging from the Islamic Revolution to the Iran-Iraq War. Iran expanded its influence by supporting armed groups in countries like Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen. In particular, the alliance with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was crucial, as it provided Iran with a major route for supplying weapons to Lebanon, Hezbollah, and other regional groups. Through this network, Iran could have continued sending military aid and weapons to these groups. However, with changing circumstances in Syria, this route is now closed, posing a significant challenge to Iran.

Declining Regional Influence and Domestic Protests

The shifting situation in Syria and Lebanon is creating difficulties for Iran. Former U.S. National Security Advisor James Jeffrey has stated, “The Iranian resistance axis, which included Israel and Syria, is now being destroyed.” As a result, Iran’s power is diminishing, and it is becoming clear that its regional influence is no longer as strong as before. Additionally, Iran is facing significant domestic challenges. Since the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022, widespread protests have erupted, with many people raising their voices against the government. The protests highlight dissatisfaction with the government’s foreign wars, as resources are being diverted while unemployment and inflation rise within the country. This unrest is also affecting the stability of the government.

The Issue of Nuclear Weapons

Iran’s nuclear program is another critical issue on the global stage. Iran continues to assert that its nuclear program is entirely peaceful, but Western countries and Israel remain suspicious. It is estimated that if Iran wishes, it could accumulate enough uranium to build a nuclear weapon in just about a week, though it would need a warhead, which could take up to a year to develop. Therefore, Iran still has significant military capabilities, which it could potentially use against Gulf countries or Israel.

The Future Direction of Iran

For Iran, the greatest challenge now is to maintain its existence. Internal dissent and economic problems are increasing, but the Iranian government remains resilient. Dennis Horak, who served as Canada’s political advisor in Iran for three years, believes that the Iranian government still has much to accomplish. He states that Iran possesses serious military capabilities and could use them against Gulf countries. In the current situation, Iran will need to adopt new strategies to maintain its power. It will need to manage its internal protests and take measured steps to regain its influence on the global stage. Additionally, Iran may need to adjust its approach to the nuclear issue to gain international support.

Conclusion

Iran’s future is undoubtedly uncertain. It faces multiple internal and external challenges, and overcoming them will not be easy. However, Iran’s history shows that it has the capacity to face these challenges. It remains to be seen whether Iran can re-establish its power and influence in these tough circumstances or whether it will grow weaker.