European governments report that Iran's multi-layered, protracted power struggle is causing "accumulated damage to the US"

European governments report that Iran's multi-layered, protracted power struggle is causing "accumulated damage to the US"

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Iran is preparing for a protracted war through a multi-layered power structure, exerting asymmetric power against the US. This, in turn, is causing significant damage and is demonstrating a strategy of "accumulating damage and pressuring the US to retreat."

The Washington Post reported on the 5th that a European official, in a government report, diagnosed Iran's power structure, stated that "Iran's military and political command has proven robust thanks to a 'multi-layered system' built to withstand crises." The report added that "this system decentralizes leadership by appointing multiple individuals to immediately replace key figures who may die."

The Washington Post reported that “despite the roughly six days since the start of a war that has affected 12 countries across the Middle East, major military operations have not threatened the Iranian regime’s grip on power, according to European and Arab officials who have assessed the regime’s standing since the conflict began.” “The officials said Iran was prepared for this conflict, and much of the command structure built to withstand decapitation attacks remains intact, allowing Iran to launch retaliatory attacks against Israel, Qatar, and Bahrain within hours of the initial attack. At home, Iranians have reported increased security on city streets and Basij paramilitary groups patrolling on motorcycles since the attacks began.”

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European officials said Iran was prepared for this conflict, and much of the command structure built to withstand decapitation attacks remains intact, and despite the intensity and widespread destruction of the attacks, there have been no reports of major defections from the regime or popular uprisings, according to assessments provided to the Post by European and Arab sources. The Washington Post then cited a source describing the ongoing operation, stating, “U.S. intelligence found no signs of uprising or desertion in the first few days of the operation,” speaking on condition of anonymity.

Tehran believes the only way to defeat the United States and Israel is through a European official briefed on the Iranian regime’s strength since the war began. “They understand they can’t defeat the most powerful military in the world, but they can inflict as much damage as possible through asymmetric warfare to force the United States to seek de-escalation,” the source told the Post.

The source added, “This is why Iran has prioritized retaliation against Persian Gulf states and those that might demand an exit route from the United States.

The source warned that while Iran has built its system and people to withstand prolonged hardships better than the Gulf and the United States, the longer the conflict drags on, the more lethal it is likely to be on all sides.” "This regime in Iran was built to last, and they will not go quietly," a European official said during a government briefing on the latest assessment of the Iranian regime. "There has not been a single sign of a breakdown or betrayal of the system. Nothing. Zero."

The European official continued, "They have been controlled," adding, "We are aware of reports that regime security forces are not showing up for duty, but we believe this may be due to orders not to gather in their compound or barracks for fear of being targeted."

The US and Israeli strikes on Iran have hit more than 2,000 targets in Iran over four days, according to US Central Command, and the Israeli Defense Forces said its aircraft have dropped more than 4,000 rounds of munitions on Iran since the first strikes on Saturday.

"Without a doubt, Iran is significantly weakened," Gregory Brugga, an Iran analyst at the Eurasia Group, told the Washington Post. "They are blowing up a lot of buildings, most of which are probably empty, and they are destroying the physical structure of the Islamic Republic." He continued, "Considering Iran's military losses alone, the US and Israel have destroyed most of Iran's navy, its missile stockpile, and the means to produce additional missiles."

Meanwhile, a European official told the Washington Post, "Iran's police and Basij remain active," and "since the June 12 war, Iran has reorganized its forces to prepare for further decapitation attacks."

Analyst Brugha explained this is because "these units do not operate heavy weapons and can quickly disperse from buildings easily targeted by air and then reappear after the fighting ends."

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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi, in an interview with Al Jazeera on Sunday, shortly after the initial attack on Saturday, described the Iranian military units as "isolated" and "acting according to general instructions received in advance," maintaining a "normal defense posture."

Iranian officials have indicated they are preparing for a prolonged battle against a military superiority. Iranian officials prioritized retaliation against Gulf states and those that could demand exit routes from the United States, using an asymmetric power strategy.

Officials attributed the robustness of Iran's military and political command to a "multi-layered system" built to withstand crises. This system decentralizes leadership by appointing multiple individuals to immediately replace those who might be killed.

The Washington Post, which charted the multi-layered power structure, reported, "After Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh was killed in an airstrike on Saturday, Majid Ebneleza was appointed interim defense minister by Iranian President Masoud Fezeshkian on Monday. Rumors circulated that Fezeshkian was also targeted in the initial wave of attacks.

However, media reports later speculated that Ebneleza was killed in a later attack, but Iranian state media has not responded." Before the conflict began, a senior Arab official told the Washington Post, "American allies in the Persian Gulf believed Iran would be more vulnerable to external military pressure and that the possibility of the Supreme Leader's assassination would be the initial turning point, triggering mass mobilization against the regime. We were looking for protests on the streets, but we were surprised by their unity."

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Iran and the United States were behind the CIA-led coup in 1953, near the end of the Korean War, that ousted Iran's democratically elected leader and granted near-absolute power to Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, establishing a monarchy.

The Shah's regime collapsed in 1979, following the ouster of the Islamic Revolution, and the subsequent attempts at regime change in Iran under Trump.

In a telephone interview with Reuters on the 5th, Trump said that hardliner Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and considered a likely successor to his father, was an unlikely choice. President Trump said, "We want to be part of the process of selecting the person who will lead Iran into the future," and encouraged the CIA-backed Kurdish forces to go on the offensive, saying, "I'm all for it."

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Reuters reported that his administration has been in contact with Iranian Kurdish groups since the US-Israeli airstrikes began, adding, "He did not say whether the US would provide air cover for the Kurdish offensive."

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President Trump said at a White House press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday, "If Iran shoots peaceful protesters and violently kills them, as is their custom, the United States will come to their rescue. We are ready, we are ready to go."

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President Trump said on Truth Social on January 2, "If Iran shoots peaceful protesters and violently kills them, the United States will come to their rescue. We are ready, we are ready to go." President Trump told the Iranian people on February 28th, immediately after the initial attack, "When we're done, take control of your government. It will be yours," according to Truth Social.

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At the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Hegdeth Hegde stated on February 2nd, "This is not a so-called regime change war. But the regime has definitely changed, and the world is better for it."

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See <Iran 'attacks' Israel's Dimona nuclear facility, Patriot drone strikes 'limits', March 5, 2026>

<Trump fails to achieve early regime change in Iran, activates weapons stationed overseas, 'prolonged war', March 2, 2026>