By Gloria Ogbonna
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) said Friday that President Donald Trump is confronting the difficult realities of the long-running conflict with Iran, emphasizing that military successes alone may not be enough to bring about regime change in Tehran.
Speaking during an appearance on Fox Business Network’s Kudlow, Johnson argued that the Iranian regime has spent decades strengthening its grip on power and remains a significant threat despite recent setbacks to its military and nuclear capabilities. According to the senator, Iran’s leaders have been engaged in hostile actions against the United States and its allies for nearly five decades, making the situation far more complex than many Americans may realize.
Johnson said the current strategy reflects an acknowledgment of the realities on the ground. While he noted that neither he nor President Trump welcomes the difficult choices involved, he stressed that ignoring those realities could have serious consequences.
The Wisconsin senator pointed to Iran’s long history of hostility toward the United States, stating that the regime has spent 47 years building its influence, expanding its military capabilities, and supporting militant groups across the Middle East. He argued that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon remains a critical national security objective because such a development would pose what he described as an existential threat to America and its allies.
Johnson praised Trump’s decision to target and significantly weaken Iran’s military infrastructure. He said U.S. actions had damaged key elements of Iran’s nuclear program while also degrading portions of its naval forces, missile systems, and drone operations. However, he acknowledged that military action alone cannot solve every aspect of the conflict.
The senator noted that many Americans strongly oppose the idea of deploying large numbers of U.S. troops to Iran in an effort to remove the ruling ayatollahs from power. He said there had been hopes that weakening the regime militarily would create an opportunity for the Iranian people to rise up against their government. Those expectations, however, have largely been undermined by the regime’s harsh response to dissent.
Johnson argued that Iranian authorities have brutally suppressed opposition movements and targeted many of their leaders, making it difficult for ordinary citizens to challenge the government. He said the regime maintains control through force and intimidation, while millions of Iranians lack the means to effectively resist. As a result, he believes the prospects for a popular uprising remain limited despite widespread dissatisfaction among many citizens.
The senator also expressed concern about Iran’s reported closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important shipping routes for oil and energy supplies. He warned that any disruption in the waterway could have severe consequences for global markets, driving up energy prices and creating economic challenges for both the United States and countries around the world.
Johnson said President Trump’s approach appears to be focused on managing these realities while seeking to prevent further escalation. At the same time, he cautioned against providing Iran with unrestricted access to financial resources through sanctions relief or expanded oil sales.
His greatest concern, he explained, is that revenue generated from oil exports could be diverted toward funding militant proxy groups and regional conflicts rather than helping ordinary Iranian citizens. Johnson urged the Treasury Department to maintain strict oversight of any funds that become available to Tehran.
While he said he would support allowing resources to be used for rebuilding infrastructure and improving conditions for the Iranian people, he warned against permitting the regime to freely access large amounts of cash. According to Johnson, safeguards must be in place to ensure that any financial relief benefits civilians rather than strengthening Iran’s military operations or supporting armed groups throughout the Middle East.
The senator concluded that balancing economic pressure, national security concerns, and regional stability will remain a major challenge for U.S. policymakers as tensions with Iran continue to evolve.
Source Breitbart
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