
The Islamic Republic regime in Tehran has been weakened by its inability to defend against Israeli and US airstrikes, emboldening protesters now facing violent repression across the country, according to a former senior UN refugee official.
"The Ayatollah (Ali Khamenei) regime is now considered weaker after showing that it was unable to defend itself from Israeli and American airstrikes in June 2025," said Guido Ambroso, former UNHCR representative in Azerbaijan.