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 These outages lead to water shortages and severe air pollution as factories and homes rely on ship fuel instead of cleaner energy sources. "On some days, people are forbidden to leave their homes—children, adults, government offices, and banks alike," Sabti noted.

The economic crisis has halted much of Iran's industrial sector. Unemployment, already at 23%, has risen by an additional 12 percentage points. While small protests by workers occasionally occur near factories, these scattered demonstrations still worry the regime.

Sabti highlighted the regime’s recent protest-response drill as a sign of its growing anxiety. "Why would they hold a protest drill?" he asked. "The regime anticipates demonstrations and uprisings. They understand that things are very fragile."

Mounting Financial and Political Pressures

Inflation and currency devaluation are worsening Iran's economic woes. The value of the dollar has surged from 460,000–480,000 rials to 820,000 rials, directly impacting imports and exacerbating financial strain.

Sabti also pointed to the regime's perceived failures on the international stage. While Iranian officials threaten retaliation against Israel, an Iranian general recently admitted, "We’ve been defeated."

Another official reportedly stated, "We cannot retaliate against Israel or launch a third operation."

Calls for International Intervention

Many Iranians remain hopeful for international support to weaken the regime.

Sabti explained, "They hope for Trump's return and believe he will enact significant changes. They admire Israel’s decisive actions and even call for strikes on Revolutionary Guard facilities that oppress them."

Sabti concluded with a warning: "The events are converging—this is a decisive year." Despite the regime's ambitions for nuclear capabilities, he labeled such efforts as "suicide."