Tehran, Iran – Six current and former officials said that the Iranian leadership is increasingly concerned that a potential US strike could weaken its grip on power by inciting angry Iranians to return to the streets,
following a bloody crackdown on anti-government protests in recent weeks.
Four current officials familiar with internal discussions told Reuters
that senior officials have informed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei,
during high-level meetings, that public anger has reached a point where fear is no longer a deterrent,
especially after the recent security crackdown, described as the bloodiest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Khamenei warns
According to these sources, Khamenei warned that large numbers of Iranians are now ready to confront security forces again,
and that any external pressure, such as a limited U.S. strike, could trigger widespread protests
that could severely damage the political establishment.
“An attack followed by a popular uprising could lead to the collapse of the ruling regime…
This is the greatest fear among senior officials,” said one official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
These concerns are particularly significant because they contrast
with Tehran’s publicly defiant stance toward the protesters and the United States.
The sources did not disclose Khamenei’s response to these warnings,
and the Iranian Foreign Ministry did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
Strengthening the military presence
Last week, sources told Reuters that US President Donald Trump was considering options against Iran,
including targeting security forces and leaders, with the aim of inciting internal protests,
although Israeli and Arab officials asserted that air power alone might not be enough to topple the regime.
A former senior moderate official said the situation has changed since the crackdown in early January,
adding: “The people are furious… the wall of fear has crumbled.”
These developments come amid escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington,
with the US military presence in the region increasing the likelihood of further escalation.
