Iran at the Crossroads Pending Trump’s Return

Abstract

Given the prevailing perception of Iran’s Islamic regime as the most immediate threat to American national security, Trump’s return to the presidency in January 2025 may have profound consequences for the ruling clerical regime. Despite its reckless and disruptive behavior and military maneuvers intended to showcase its military power and impress its perceived enemies, it can be argued that the Islamic regime is prone to acting rationally when it perceives a threat to its political survival. The political pragmatism of the regime, as manifested in its inclination to make temporary political concessions, is conducive to forestalling and deflecting any planned US menace on its political existence.