As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to return to office in January, the United States faces a critical opportunity to recalibrate its policy toward Iran. Confronting Iran is an immediate necessity and a critical strategic goal for U.S. national security. The Islamic regime in Iran remains the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, destabilizing the Mideast and directly threatening American interests. Recent intelligence reports indicate Iran’s involvement in plotting the assassination of Trump; funding and promoting antisemitism through pro-Hamas rallies and encampments at U.S. universities; and supporting attacks on U.S. bases in Syria and Iraq, where American soldiers have been targeted.
Additionally, concerns have surfaced about a senior U.S. government official in the Pentagon with ties to Iran; investigations into such connections are ongoing. Recent appointments by Trump—Rep. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) as secretary of state, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and John Ratcliffe as CIA director—signal a renewed commitment to confronting Iran’s destabilizing influence. While the “maximum pressure” campaign under Trump’s first administration weakened the regime’s capabilities, enduring change in Iran demands a dual strategy: relentless pressure combined with steadfast support for the Iranian people.
The strategy delivered significant blows to Iran’s economic and military capabilities. Sanctions restricted Iran’s oil revenues, undermining its ability to fund proxy groups like Hezbollah, the militias in Iraq and destabilizing forces in Yemen. The regime’s military operations, particularly in the region, were hampered by the loss of critical resources and funding. Additionally, the targeted elimination in January 2020 of Qassem Soleimani, the mastermind behind Iran’s regional influence, exposed vulnerabilities in the regime’s grip on power and its military operations. As Trump said, “We will not allow the world’s leading sponsor of terror to possess the planet’s most dangerous weapons.” The Iranian regime, driven by its radical ideology, has consistently demonstrated its hostility towards the United States and Israel. Its chants of “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” are not mere slogans, they represent the regime’s clear and persistent goal: to destroy U.S. interests and wipe Israel off the map.
While the maximum pressure strategy achieved notable successes, it also had unintended consequences. The economic hardship faced by ordinary Iranians, soaring inflation and a lack of essential goods fueled regime narratives that positioned the government as a victim of Western aggression. To truly weaken the regime and foster lasting change, the United States must move beyond just exerting pressure; it must empower the Iranian people.
Former U.S. Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook, who has played a pivotal role in shaping U.S. policy on Iran, recently underscored the urgency of supporting the Iranian people’s fight for freedom, noting: “The Iranian people want to live in a normal country with leaders who respect human rights and economic opportunity.”
This underlines the importance of a maximum support strategy. Humanitarian aid must be expanded to alleviate civilian suffering, ensuring access to essential goods, medical care and communication tools. The United States should work with international partners and private sector leaders, such as Starlink, to expand secure Internet access, enabling Iranians to organize and dissent freely. Iran’s frozen assets could be redirected for these efforts but this would require careful mechanisms, including international oversight and legal frameworks, to ensure the funds are used effectively. Maximum support must also involve a firm commitment from the United States to never negotiate with the regime, either in public or through backdoor channels. Engaging with the Iranian regime in any form only empowers its oppressive tactics and undermines efforts to empower its people.
Equally crucial is empowering credible opposition leaders. Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, a key figure in the Iranian opposition, has expressed his commitment to leading a democratic transition in Iran. He envisions a future where the Iranian people, with the support of the international community, can shape their own destiny through democratic self-determination. As Pahlavi has stated, “We do not seek the U.S. to overthrow the regime; rather, we seek partnership to empower the Iranian people, who know how to achieve their own freedom.” By providing diplomatic backing and platforms for credible opposition figures, the United States can help present a legitimate and unified alternative to the current regime, ensuring that Iran’s future remains intact, united and respectful of its territorial integrity, with no power vacuum following the regime’s downfall.
Rubio, who is set to be the new U.S. secretary of state in the upcoming Trump administration, said that the “Iranian regime represents the greatest long-term strategic threat to the U.S. and our allies in the region. It is vital that we support those fighting for democracy within Iran while confronting the regime’s destructive ambitions.”
The United States can also strengthen its strategy by furthering regional alliances. The 2020 Abraham Accords demonstrate the potential for coordinated efforts among Israel, Saudi Arabia and other allies to isolate Iran diplomatically and economically while uplifting grassroots democratic movements within Iran. Cyber and intelligence support should focus on helping Iranians bypass regime-imposed censorship and disrupt the regime’s surveillance infrastructure. Supporting efforts such as data leaks exposing regime corruption and countering disinformation will further strengthen the domestic opposition’s ability to organize and dissent effectively.
Iran’s destabilizing influence stretches far beyond its borders, from Syria to Iraq to Yemen, where its proxies fuel conflict. Regime change in Iran is critical to shifting the regional balance of power, reducing threats to U.S. allies and creating opportunities for diplomatic engagement. As Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman recently stated, “We hope to see a day when Iran’s regime changes, and we have a better relationship with the people of Iran.”
Trump has emphasized that it is ultimately the Iranian people who should decide on the future of their regime. Multilateral efforts to isolate the regime and support efforts for internal regime change offer the most promising path forward for securing U.S. national interests in the region. As Pahlavi aptly stated, “Our fight is not just for freedom but for the future stability and security of the entire region.”
Critics may fear backlash or accusations of regime change, given the history of U.S. foreign interventions. However, by empowering Iranians to lead their own transition, the United States avoids the historical pitfalls of direct intervention and reinforces its commitment to self-determination and human rights. This approach, rooted in American values, also serves core U.S. security interests.
The stakes are high, and with Trump returning to office in January, now is the moment to act decisively. By combining relentless pressure on the regime with maximum support for the Iranian people, the United States can help pave the way for a stable and secure region, reducing the threats posed to U.S. allies and U.S. national interests. For the security of America and the stability of the Middle East, this dual-pronged strategy is not merely an option; it is an imperative.
