Stanford University political scientist Maximilian Terhalle assesses that Iran possesses limited capacity to counter direct military attacks from Israel and the United States. “Since the attacks last summer, there’s been no significant strengthening of Iran’s air defense capabilities,” Terhalle stated.
While Iranian forces are attempting retaliatory strikes against U.S. Forces stationed throughout the Middle East, Terhalle characterized these actions as largely symbolic. “The Iranians are trying to attack everywhere the Americans are stationed in the Middle East,” he said, “but these are more like pinpricks. Iran does not have the firepower to weaken the Americans.”
Terhalle suggests the combined military pressure from Israel and the U.S. Could potentially destabilize the Iranian government. “The chance to eliminate essential elements of the elite is certainly there,” he noted. “But whether that is enough to bring the revolution to the streets remains to be seen.” A Stanford University event held October 30, 2025, explored the implications of the June 2025 Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, supported by U.S. Bombing, and its impact on the regional landscape.
The political scientist similarly highlighted the significance of the responses – or lack thereof – from Russia and China. “In the hour of decision, we are not seeing any support from Moscow and Beijing for the regime,” Terhalle observed. “Putin seems to consider access to Trump more important than Iran.”
Abbas Milani, Director of Iranian Studies at Stanford University, has previously noted a growing disconnect between Iranian society and its government, a dynamic that could influence the outcome of any internal upheaval. Milani’s research, conducted at Stanford’s Hoover Institution, focuses on the complexities of Iranian politics and the historical misunderstandings surrounding the nation.
Recent analysis from Stanford University Press’s publication, “Between Iran and Zion,” details the historical presence of a significant Jewish population within Iran, currently numbering around 25,000, and their complex relationship with both the Pahlavi monarchy and the Islamic Republic. This internal diversity adds another layer of complexity to the potential for political change within the country.
As of February 27, 2026, Stanford University’s Israel Studies Program has launched, generating both support and criticism within the academic community, reflecting the sensitivity surrounding the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region.
