Iran’s House of Cards is Crumbling: Time for the U.S. to Strike Harder

Iran, long the self-proclaimed leader of resistance against Western influence, finds itself teetering on the edge of irrelevance. The collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria, Russia’s withdrawal from the region, and the financial and military drain on Tehran’s key ally due to the war in Ukraine have collectively exposed the hollow core of Iran’s regional ambitions. For the United States, particularly under the incoming Trump administration’s hawkish national security team—Senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State and Congressman Mike Waltz as National Security Advisor—this is a golden opportunity to deal a decisive blow to the regime in Tehran.

Iran’s Strategic Crutches are Broken

For years, Iran has relied on a precarious network of alliances and proxy forces to project influence. Syria under Assad was the linchpin of this strategy, providing a vital land bridge to Hezbollah in Lebanon and a platform for threatening Israel. Now, with Assad’s regime collapsing under the weight of its own failures, Iran has lost its most critical ally in the Levant. Without Syria, Iran’s “Axis of Resistance” is nothing more than a slogan.

Russia’s withdrawal from Syria further compounds Iran’s problems. Moscow’s pivot to Ukraine leaves Tehran exposed in Syria, where Israeli airstrikes can now target Iranian forces and proxies with near impunity. For Iran, which has long depended on Russia for diplomatic and military backing in the region, this development is catastrophic.

The war in Ukraine has also drained Russia’s ability to act as a reliable partner for Tehran. With Moscow consumed by its own economic collapse and military quagmire, Iran is left increasingly isolated. Even worse, the competition between the two for arms sales and oil exports in evasion of Western sanctions only deepens Tehran’s financial woes.

A Regime on the Brink

Internally, the Iranian regime is facing mounting pressure from an economy crippled by U.S.-led sanctions and its own mismanagement. The financial support it has historically provided to proxies like Hezbollah is dwindling. Hezbollah, already weakened by Israeli strikes and the loss of Assad and the deteriorating situation in Lebanon, is struggling to maintain its status as a regional powerhouse. For a regime that prides itself on exporting revolution, this is an existential threat.

Externally, Iran’s ability to sustain its proxy networks is rapidly diminishing. Iranian-backed militias in Syria are defeated and in Iraq they are increasingly disorganized and vulnerable. The fall of Assad has severed their supply lines, and the lack of Russian coordination has left these groups exposed to U.S. and Israeli operations.

The Trump Administration’s Path Forward

The Trump administration must act decisively to exploit Iran’s vulnerabilities. Rubio and Waltz have the right mindset for this moment—aggressive, unapologetic, and laser-focused on dismantling Iran’s regional influence. Here’s how:

1. Intensify Maximum Pressure
   The “maximum pressure” campaign must go into overdrive. Sanctions targeting Iran’s energy sector, financial institutions, and key industries should be tightened further. Any loopholes exploited by Tehran to sustain its crumbling economy must be sealed. By suffocating Iran’s financial lifelines, the U.S. can accelerate the regime’s downward spiral.
2. Target Proxies Relentlessly
   Iranian-backed militias in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen must be dismantled. The U.S. and its allies should prioritize airstrikes, cyber operations, and covert actions to degrade these groups’ capabilities. With Hezbollah already weakened, eliminating its remaining operational capacity should be a top priority.
3. Strengthen Regional Alliances
   The U.S. must deepen its security ties with Israel, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf states. Enhanced military aid to Israel, including advanced missile defense systems, will ensure it remains capable of countering Iranian threats. Simultaneously, bolstering Saudi and Emirati defenses against Iranian-supported Houthi rebels in Yemen will further isolate Tehran.
4. Stabilize Post-Assad Syria
   The fall of Assad presents an opportunity to reshape Syria’s future without Iranian interference. By supporting moderate factions and maintaining a U.S. military presence, Washington can ensure that Iran is permanently excluded from rebuilding its influence in the region.

Risks Worth Taking

Critics will argue that escalating pressure on Iran risks pushing the regime toward more aggressive behavior, such as accelerating its nuclear program or increasing proxy attacks. While these concerns are valid, they are outweighed by the strategic imperative to strike Iran while it is at its weakest.

Iran’s desperation is a sign of its declining power, not its strength. The regime’s attempts to reassert itself—whether through nuclear brinkmanship or proxy violence—can and should be met with overwhelming force. The Trump administration’s hawkish leadership team understands this dynamic and is well-positioned to act decisively.

Conclusion: No Room for Complacency

The collapse of the Assad regime, Russia’s withdrawal from Syria, and the war in Ukraine have created a perfect storm for Iran’s regional ambitions. Tehran’s proxies are in disarray, its economy is faltering, and its strategic alliances are crumbling. For the U.S., this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to neutralize a regime that has been a source of instability and terror for decades.

Under the leadership of Rubio and Waltz, the Trump administration must seize this moment. By intensifying sanctions, targeting proxies, and bolstering alliances, the U.S. can finally bring Iran’s regional ambitions to an end. The time to act is now—before Tehran can regroup and recover. Iran’s house of cards is crumbling; it’s up to the United States to deliver the final blow.

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