JERUSALEM-President-elect Donald Trump has renewed his campaign of intense pressure against Islamic Republic of Iran according to one prominent expert, along with the country's chronic gas shortage, may be one of the two factors defeating the world's worst sponsor of terrorism.
“This gas shortage inside Iran is very important and exposes the growing weakness of the regime across many sides. From the defeat of Hezbollah and Hamas in their conflict with Israel, the loss of the Houthis in Yemen and the collapse of the Syrian regime under Assad; we are seeing a steady erosion of the regime's influence,” Lisa Daftari, an Iran expert and editor-in-chief of The Foreign Desk, told Fox. News Digital.
He continued, “Add to this the collapsing Rial and the incredible misuse of resources despite the release of sanctions and the billions given in botched deals under Biden's watch – it's no wonder the government is under” a lot of pressure.”
IRAN IS MAKING A NUCLEAR BOMB DEAL
TEHRAN, IRAN – DECEMBER 19: View of traffic lights as power outages continue across the country, including the capital, Tehran, Iran on December 19, 2024. Iran, where power supply issues are widespread, so are power outages. normally those who have experience during summer are extended until winter this year. Due to the shortage, schools and community centers have been closed in many cities, while in some places education continues online. (Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“There is an opportunity for President Trump to return to leadership it emphasizes great pressureIranians may find themselves in an environment conducive to seeking regime change, Daftari said.
Widespread power outages and severe domestic gas shortages have alarmed Iran's rulers. Concerns over social and political unrest are on the minds of Iran's rulers and they are quick to impose violence on many dissidents.
Nationwide protests over fuel prices and violent repression of women for not wearing the obligatory hijab have shaken Tehran's government in 2019 and 2022.
In 2019, Fox News Digital reported that the Iranian government killed at least 106 people who were protesting against the increase in fuel prices. Three years later, in 2022, the notorious government police killed a young woman, Masha Amini, for not covering her hair sufficiently. The 2022 protests have become widespread calls across the country for the dissolution of the Islamic Republic.
According to a report on Tuesday in the Iran International news agency in London, the head of Iran's judiciary has sent an order to prevent riots due to the lack of energy and gas.
Iranian protesters are protesting the 2022 regime. (Credit: NCRI)
Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Ejei, the head of Iran's judiciary is reported to have said that “the Attorney General and prosecutors throughout the country, in direct cooperation with the intelligence, security and law enforcement agencies, should take measures all appropriate measures to stabilize and strengthen the security of people and citizens, and, as in the past, even with great determination, take appropriate measures so that the enemy's conspiracy to create. insecurity … is not enough.”
ISRAEL EYES IRAN NUKE SITES AID WE REPORT TRUMP MULLIES EVEN TO STOP TEHRAN'S ATOMIC PROGRAM
TEHRAN, IRAN – DECEMBER 19: A view of shops as power outages continue across the country, including the capital, Tehran, Iran on December 19, 2024. Iran, where power outages are widespread , frequent power outages. those who have experience during the summer have been extended until winter this year. Due to the shortage, schools and community centers have been closed in many cities, while in some places education continues online. (Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Despite Iran's vast natural gas and oil reserves, years of underinvestment, economic mismanagement, corruption and sanctions have left the energy sector unprepared for 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 counterterrorism expert for the Washington Center for Near East Policy, said that Iran spends about $700 million to $1 billion a year on Hezbollah and Hamas keeps $100 million in year.
President-elect Donald Trump addresses AmericaFest, Sunday, December 22, 2024, in Phoenix. On Monday, Trump pledged to make the Justice Department pursue the death penalty following President Biden's move to commute the death penalty for 37 inmates. (AP Photo/Rick Scooteri)
Iran's 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 signaling new challenges for Tehran is locked in the ongoing wars across the Middle East.
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Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (R) meets with Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad (L) in Tehran, Iran on March 25, 2019. (OFFICE OF THE IRANIAN PRESIDENT / HANDOUT/Anadolu Center/Getty Images)
The Central Bank of Iran has in the past flooded the market with hard currency to try to improve the rate.
The currency fell as Iran ordered the closure of schools, universities and government offices on Wednesday due to a worsening power crisis exacerbated by harsh winter conditions. The disaster follows a summer of power outages and is now compounded by extreme cold, snow and air pollution.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.