Iranian Regime Thrives on Pressure, Analyst Says Resistance Means Endurance

Benny Sabti, an Iran researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies, discussed the resilience of the Iranian regime under American and Israeli pressure in an interview with Barak Seri and Eli Ohana on 103FM on July 9, 2026. Sabti argued that the more pressure is applied to Tehran, the more the regime reacts oppositely, strengthening its stance rather than weakening it.

He emphasized that the U.S. needs to reconsider its approach by understanding the Iranian concept of resistance, which he compared to historical Jewish endurance. Sabti explained that the Iranian revolutionary ethos, rooted in Shiism, is about enduring harm and surviving against adversity, effectively daring opponents to retreat. He noted, "The essence of the Iranian revolution is to stand and die on the path, to be hurt but succeed in surviving."

Sabti concluded by highlighting the cyclical nature of conflict involving Iran, mentioning that attempts to disrupt Iranian oil shipments only cause temporary price spikes without long-term impact. He stated that despite external and internal suffering, the regime remains unchanged and resilient, implying that ongoing confrontations will continue without decisive shifts in Tehran's behavior.