White House Urged to Dismantle Iranian Security Apparatus to Prevent Regime Reconstruction Following Military Strikes

Analysts warn that military strikes on Iran must be followed by the total dismantling of the IRGC to prevent the regime from rebuilding its power base.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 25, 2026, 4:18 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Foundation for Defense of Democracies

The Risks of a Superficial Political Transition

While the Trump administration’s decision to target the Islamic Republic’s military infrastructure has reshaped the Middle Eastern landscape, foreign policy experts warn that military success is only the first phase of a broader objective. There is growing concern in Washington that the U.S. might settle for a political outcome that merely replaces existing leaders while leaving the underlying security apparatus functional. History suggests that transitions leaving ideological and coercive machinery in place often result in a temporary pause rather than a permanent solution, as seen in previous attempts to reform entrenched authoritarian systems.

Dismantling the IRGC and the Security State

The Islamic Republic is characterized as a deeply embedded security state built around the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). This structure is designed to survive external pressure by sounding pragmatic and offering minor concessions while waiting for international attention to shift. Analysts from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies emphasize that any plan assuming regime insiders will adopt moderate behaviors is inherently flawed. If significant portions of this coercive network are allowed to survive, the regime will likely revert to its baseline of internal repression and regional disruption once the immediate military threat recedes.

The Shift in Iran’s Internal Political Center of Gravity

Inside Iran, the political landscape has shifted significantly across various social classes and generations. Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has emerged as a central opposition figure with widespread recognition and legitimacy, as evidenced by nationwide protests earlier this year that saw millions respond to his call for action. For many Iranians, his leadership represents a clear break from the current system and a link to national continuity. Ignoring this internal reality could lead to a legitimacy deficit for any new political arrangement, potentially resulting in renewed unrest and the return to power of the very figures the U.S. sought to marginalize.