Iran rulers fear US strike could reignite protests — Reuters

Iran’s leadership is increasingly worried that a US military strike could drive an already enraged public back onto the streets and threaten the survival of the Islamic Republic, according to Reuters citing current and former officials cited by Reuters.

In recent high-level meetings, officials warned Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei that public anger following last month’s bloody crackdown has reached a point where fear is no longer a deterrent.

Officials told Khamenei that many Iranians were prepared to confront security forces again and that external pressure, including a limited US strike, could embolden protesters and cause irreparable damage to the political system.

One official told Reuters that an attack combined with renewed demonstrations could lead to the collapse of the ruling establishment.

The private concerns stand in contrast to Tehran’s defiant public stance toward both protesters and the United States, and come as US and Iranian officials have confirmed direct talks in Turkey scheduled for Friday.

The timing suggests that mounting US pressure may have helped accelerate Tehran’s decision to engage, even as Iranian leaders continue to publicly project defiance.