Calls for regime change in Iran have intensified following Israeli aerial bombardments in June 2025, aimed at addressing its nuclear threat. Such military actions come with rhetoric promoting the overthrow of the Islamic Republic. However, these interventions inadvertently reinforce imperialist dynamics, which the regime has historically used to justify its governance. This creates a paradox where efforts to weaken the regime may paradoxically strengthen it. The Islamic Republic's legitimacy has been built on the discourse of foreign interference since 1979, particularly referencing the 1953 coup. This narrative, while often challenged internally, gains credibility during military conflicts, especially among younger Iranians disillusioned with authoritarianism and misgovernance.
Calls for regime change in Iran have surged following the June 2025 aerial bombardments by Israel, encouraged by hawkish factions in Tel Aviv. These military actions aim to curb Iran's nuclear threat while advocating for the toppling of the Islamic Republic. However, efforts to implement regime change risk reanimating the imperialist dynamics exploited by the Islamic Republic to justify its rule. The result is a reinforcement of an oppressive regime through means intended to end it.
The Islamic Republic has grounded its legitimacy since 1979 in the trauma of foreign interference, notably the 1953 Anglo-American coup that deposed Mohammad Mossadegh. This discourse enables the government to frame opposition and reform movements as tools of Western subjugation, suggesting that it is the only effective protector of national autonomy. This narrative gains credibility, especially during times of conflict, legitimizing the regime's authority.
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