Iranian regime leaders are more inclined to maintain a state of confrontation with the United States and its regional allies than to pursue peace, according to Dr. Majid Sadeghpour, a human rights activist and the political director of the Organization of Iranian-American Communities. This strategy, he asserts, is aimed at diverting attention from widespread discontent among the Iranian populace.
Sadeghpour told Fox News Digital that Tehran is not primarily concerned about potential U.S. airstrikes but rather the possibility of internal uprisings. He pointed to recent attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz and on U.S. bases in Jordan and Bahrain, even after U.S. officials offered guarantees against seeking regime change. "The real threat to the regime is not the bombs from outside, but rather the population uprising," Sadeghpour stated. He added that for a regime reliant on a militarized posture, "its survival now depends on that friction."
Iran has seen significant protests in recent years, fueled by economic hardship, high inflation, and dissatisfaction with the ruling religious establishment. Human rights observers report that the government has responded to anti-regime demonstrations with force, arbitrary arrests, and detentions.
Vice President JD Vance commented on Iran's continued targeting of commercial vessels, stating, "The Iranians are doing what the Iranians do." He suggested that Iran's capabilities are diminishing and its control over the Strait of Hormuz is weakening.
Sadeghpour suggested that to achieve regime change, U.S. efforts should focus on the Iranian population, as the current leadership is likely to prolong conflict with the U.S. indefinitely. He explained that the regime fears the post-conflict period when the population, no longer distracted, might turn its attention to ousting the government.
Former President Donald Trump recently stated he is not focused on diplomatic negotiations with Iran, expressing indifference to the prospect of Iran signing a "worthless" agreement. On social media platform Truth Social, Trump questioned when the Iranian people would rise up and fight against their government.