Making reference to the widespread divisions within the regime, Mr. Ledeen said the regime’s leaders “have lost legitimacy in the eyes of the people, are unable to manage the country's many problems, face a growing opposition, and are openly fighting with one another.”
With regards to the impact of international sanctions against Tehran, he wrote, “Unemployment last month reached 15% and is as high as 45% in some regions. In Tehran, health officials warned pregnant women and mothers of young children not to drink the water. Electrical failures are widespread.”
“Taxi drivers have been striking around the country this summer, some because of the long lines at gas stations and others because of a shortage of compressed natural gas. The sanctions seem to be having an effect.”
The opinion piece also referred to the increasing protests by the Iranian people against the clerical rulers, saying that nightly popular protests still continue with the chats of “death to dictator” directly targeting Khamenei.