Iran is Terrified that Trump Will Strike This Weekend
Iranian leadership enters a state of "peak alertness" as experts describe a regime using propaganda and missile tests to mask deep fears of a U.S. weekend strike.
As Western and Middle Eastern forces finalize preparations for a potential U.S. offensive, internal sentiment within the Iranian regime has reached a fever pitch. According to Benny Sabti, an Iran researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), the Islamic Republic is operating under a "Doomsday" mindset, characterized by deep-seated paranoia and aggressive propaganda.
In an analysis provided to 103fm, Sabti highlighted that the Iranian leadership feels more vulnerable than ever.
The regime has lived with "its back to the wall" for years, operating under the constant belief that a Western attempt to dismantle it is imminent.
To counter this fear, Tehran has ramped up its domestic "annihilation discourse," using state media to project an image of defiance and strength to its own population.
Missile Tests: Signal vs. Substance
Recent reports of Iranian missile tests are being categorized by experts primarily as psychological warfare rather than immediate tactical shifts.
Sabti suggests these tests are designed to "show a presence" and deter an attack. While many of the tested systems may not be relevant to a direct strike on Israel, they serve as a propaganda tool to warn the U.S. of the potential costs of engagement.
Despite the public bravado, there is a clear internal recognition in Tehran that they cannot compete with the precision and quality of American and allied military technology. "It’s simply not a fair fight," Sabti noted, referencing historical precedents of U.S. technological superiority.
The Weekend Window
While there is "peak alertness" on both sides regarding the coming weekend, analysts caution against definitive predictions. While various "puzzle pieces" are moving into place, including U.S. carrier positions and Iranian defensive shifts, the final decision remains a strategic unknown.
Iran’s current maneuvers are viewed as a desperate attempt to persuade the U.S. and its allies that the price of a strike would be too high, despite Tehran's awareness of its own conventional military disadvantages.