Things are escalating fast in Iran, and it’s starting to feel like the regime knows it. Massive protests have now entered their second week, spreading across the country with no signs of slowing down. Clashes between protesters and security forces are growing increasingly violent. Human rights groups report at least 16 people killed, and Iranian officials themselves admit the country has been “thrust into survival mode.” These are the largest protests Iran has seen in three years. At the same time, Iran is clearly preparing for the worst. They recently conducted a major missile and air defense drill over Tehran, signaling fears of potential strikes from Israel or even the United States. Reports out of Lebanon (via Hezbollah-affiliated media) claim that Trump and Netanyahu discussed military action if Iran refuses to fully halt its nuclear program. President Trump has publicly warned Iran, saying that if they continue shooting “peaceful protesters,” the U.S. would intervene, adding: “We are locked and loaded and ready to go.” A few days later, he doubled down, saying the U.S. is watching closely and that Iran would be “hit very hard” if mass killings resume. Behind the scenes, it appears Iran’s leadership is rattled. After Trump’s warning, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council reportedly met to find ways to suppress protests without escalating violence, hoping to avoid fueling even more public outrage. Meanwhile, reports suggest Ayatollah Khamenei may be preparing an escape plan. According to intelligence cited by The Times, he has a contingency plan to flee Tehran — potentially to Moscow — if unrest spirals out of control or security forces begin to defect. The plan reportedly involves a small inner circle and pre-positioned assets abroad, drawing comparisons to Assad’s flight to Russia. Publicly, Khamenei is trying to project confidence, posting statements blaming the U.S. for secretly preparing for war while negotiating. Privately, however, it looks like fear is setting in — fear of the protests, fear of internal collapse, and fear of external intervention. That fear may not be unfounded. After the recent capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, the U.S. State Department’s Persian-language account posted: “President Trump is a man of action. If you didn’t know, now you know.” That message was clearly aimed beyond Venezuela. So the big question is: Will Trump intervene in Iran the way he just did in Venezuela? If it’s a warning shot, it’s a loud one. But direct U.S. involvement in Iran would be far more serious, with massive global consequences and likely retaliation from Iran’s allies. Already, Maduro’s arrest has triggered familiar reactions — accusations blaming “Zionists” and Jews for regime change, including statements from Venezuela’s leadership and even U.S. commentators. Instead of focusing on drug trafficking and corruption, the narrative once again shifts toward conspiracy and scapegoating. Whether this all ends in pressure, posturing, or outright conflict remains to be seen — but one thing is clear: the Iranian regime is under more pressure now than it has been in years, and the world is watching very closely.