The Washington Post: The Iranian regime has become more militant and entrenched after being targeted
The Washington Post said that US intelligence believes that the Iranian regime has turned into a more hardline and entrenched structure despite the ongoing US-Israeli attacks since the end of last February.
Intelligence reports indicate that the war on Iran hasn’t caused any apparent cracks or changes in the power structure in Tehran.
The war on Iran, while militarily weakened, hasn’t led to internal disintegration, but has led to the consolidation of power under the control of the Revolutionary Guards, paving the way for a tougher and more entrenched model of governance.
Iran’s pressure on strategic waterways is affecting global oil markets, and Tehran is using drones and a limited stockpile of missiles to control navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to The Washington Post, recent US intelligence assessments suggest that sustained military pressure has not weakened the core political structure of Iran, but instead contributed to the consolidation of authority among hardline factions.
Analysts say decision-making has increasingly shifted toward security institutions, particularly the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is expanding its influence over both domestic governance and regional strategy.
Officials cited in the report argue that, despite economic strain and battlefield losses, there are no clear signs of elite fragmentation in Tehran.
Instead, the leadership has tightened internal security measures, intensified surveillance, and strengthened ideological messaging to maintain cohesion.
This shift is seen as reducing the likelihood of short-term political reform or internal dissent capable of altering the current balance of power.
At the regional level, Tehran is also leveraging asymmetric capabilities to sustain pressure on international trade routes.
Intelligence sources note that Iranian forces and affiliated groups have relied on drones, naval harassment tactics, and a limited but targeted missile capability to influence shipping patterns through the Strait of Hormuz
These actions have contributed to volatility in global energy markets, with insurance premiums for tankers rising and some shipping companies rerouting vessels to avoid potential escalation risks.
