Donald Trump has been criticised by a senior BBC journalist for what he described as an “alarming lack of knowledge” about Iran as the conflict involving the United States and Israel continues to unfold.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, BBC international editor Jeremy Bowen said there is currently no evidence that Iran’s political system is collapsing, even after more than two weeks of sustained military strikes by the US and Israel.
Bowen said expectations in Washington appeared to hinge on the belief that the Iranian regime would quickly fall if the country’s leadership were removed during the early stages of the conflict.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Keir Starmer Admits Mistake Over Peter Mandelson Appointment As UK Ambassador To The US
“I think there was an expectation – from reports coming out of Washington and conversations and so on that I’ve had – seem to suggest that the Americans thought that was once the supreme leader was killed on the first day of the war, that there would be a fairly rapid disintegration after that.”
Meanwhile, Donald Trump recently suggested the war could end “soon”, claiming the conflict “is very complete, pretty much”.
BBC Analysis Questions US Assumptions About Iran’s Political System
Bowen argued that such expectations misunderstand how Iran’s power structure operates. According to him, the political system is built on ideological loyalty and resistance to external pressure.
He said: “Trump is a man who believes in strong leadership and if the leader goes, then maybe his theory was the regime would go, or there would be a Venezuela-style event where the top guy goes and then other people within the regime decide to effectively capitulate and do as the Americans say.”
“If they really did believe all of that, it shows an alarming lack of knowledge about the way the regime is structured and the ideological nature of it.”
Despite the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the government remains intact. His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, has reportedly taken over leadership and vowed retaliation.
He warned the United States and Israel: “We will not refrain from avenging the blood of your martyrs.”
Middle East Stability Concerns As Gulf States Reassess Strategy
Bowen also warned that the broader Middle East could face serious consequences if the conflict destabilises Iran.
He suggested neighbouring Gulf states may ultimately have to deal with the aftermath, particularly if the United States chooses not to remain involved in rebuilding efforts.
“That particularly means Gulf countries are looking at all their strategy,” he said. “Their strategy was to be close to the Americans, and that will continue, but now they’re thinking they need to diversify a little bit.”
Analysts have also noted that the Iranian regime’s identity is deeply shaped by resistance to the US, which could make rapid political collapse unlikely despite military pressure.
Why you can trust SurgeZirc UK. Learn more about our editorial standards.
