Part 5/10:
Iran's regional influence has been heavily challenged recently. Israeli operations targeting Iranian-backed militias—such as Hezbollah in Lebanon—and the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria have left Iran feeling increasingly isolated and cornered. Reports suggest Iran is now contemplating accelerating its nuclear weapon development as a response to these pressures.
Clandestinely, Iran has increased its stock of uranium, raising fears of a clandestine nuclear weapons program. The Trump administration’s strategy could be designed either as a show of force or as a serious threat to force Iran back to the negotiating table—though the potential for regional escalation remains a concern.