politics
Trump Threatens Strikes on Iran Over Failed Negotiations; Regime Ideology Cited in Broader Context
President Trump stated that the US and Iran were close to direct negotiations several days ago but proceeded with bombing bridges due to a perceived delay. He warned of targeting power plants and bridges if no deal is reached by Tuesday evening. Analysts describe Iran's ruling ideology as rooted in Shiite messianism, framing conflicts as a divine mission.
Apr 5, 2:32 PM·2m read12 sources
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President Donald Trump announced that the United States and Iran were on the verge of an agreement for direct negotiations several days ago. Trump explained that Iran requested a five-day delay for the meeting, which he viewed as stalling. In response, the US bombed Iranian bridges as part of Operation Epic Fury.
Trump further stated he would strike every power plant and every bridge in Iran if no agreement is made by Tuesday evening. He described a good chance for a deal but warned of destroying everything in Iran if negotiations fail. Mediators expressed less optimism about an imminent agreement but committed to continued efforts.
Trump indicated he would ideally take Iranian oil if Iran refuses to negotiate. This follows recent military actions, including blows to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Iran's political system is based on Twelver Shiism, where the supreme leader serves as caretaker for the hidden 12th Imam, known as the Mahdi, expected to return and establish justice. Iranian journalist Mehdi Ghadimi, who grew up under the regime, described indoctrination from childhood in schools, mosques, and state media portraying Iranians as a chosen group to revive God's religion and defend it against evil.
“You were told you are a part of a small group chosen by God... to revive God’s religion and fight to defend it.”
“— Mehdi Ghadimi, Iranian journalist, to Fox News Digital (undated)”
Critics, including foreign policy analyst Lisa Daftari, argue that the Mahdi doctrine elevates the supreme leader's authority to a divine level, making challenges to policy equivalent to questioning a sacred figure. Daftari noted that groups labeled as moderate or reformist exist primarily to facilitate Western negotiations, but no genuine internal diversity challenges the goal of global Islamic dominance.
