Iran is facing simultaneous internal unrest and rising external tension as nuclear negotiations resume in Geneva. Widespread anti-government protests have triggered a harsh crackdown by authorities, with reports of mass arrests, injuries, and alleged disappearances. Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has urged the United States and the international community to intensify pressure on the ruling clerics, particularly targeting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the regime’s financial networks. He argues that sustained international action could accelerate political change as demonstrators continue to challenge the government in cities across the country.

At the same time, Tehran has escalated military signaling in the Strait of Hormuz, launching live-fire naval drills just hours before renewed nuclear talks. The exercises underscore Iran’s ability to disrupt one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes. The United States has increased its regional military presence, with the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group conducting ongoing operations as Washington warns of consequences if diplomacy fails. The Middle East now stands at a volatile intersection—negotiations unfolding at the table while military forces posture at sea and unrest simmers at home.

SOURCE: FoxNews