Iran’s leadership is preparing for a potentially grim scenario as the U.S. presidential election approaches, with a particular focus on the possibility of Donald Trump regaining the presidency. Polls indicate a tight race between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, but Iranian officials are worried that a Trump victory could lead to increased tensions and military action against Iran.
Iran fears that Trump, who served as president from 2017 to 2021, would empower Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to target Iranian nuclear facilities and reinforce his “maximum pressure” strategy, including stringent sanctions on Iran’s oil sector. Trump’s history of advocating for a hardline approach has heightened these concerns, particularly as Israel has escalated its military actions against Iranian proxies in the region.
While Iranian officials claim they are ready for various outcomes, some express deep anxiety about the repercussions of a Trump presidency. They believe it could lead to further economic strife and geopolitical isolation, forcing Iran to negotiate under less favorable conditions to safeguard its regime amidst growing domestic unrest and external pressures.
Analysts warn that the political landscape has changed, making it increasingly difficult for Iran to project influence as it once did. Both potential U.S. leaders view Iran as a destabilizing force, but Trump’s return could complicate diplomatic efforts and escalate military conflicts, fundamentally altering the balance of power in the Middle East.
Iran Online, a government-controlled news outlet, reported that when Trump was in office, Iran was limiting its uranium enrichment to 3.67 percent as part of the nuclear agreement, which is significantly lower than the 90 percent required for weapons-grade material. Currently, Iran has increased its enrichment to 60% using advanced IR-6 centrifuges and could potentially reach nuclear weapons capability in just a few weeks. The publication emphasized that achieving a nuclear deterrent is Iran’s strongest leverage against Trump. Both Arab and Western officials caution that as Iran suggests it is close to developing a nuclear bomb, it may provoke Israel to take military action. A western official said that if Trump returns to power, he will back Israeli efforts to target Iranian nuclear sites.
(With Inputs from Reuters)