Why didn’t Iran collapse like Venezuela? Tehran survived months of war despite US attacks due to…, here’s where Trump went wrong

The war between the United States and Iran has continued for months, yet Iran has not shown signs of collapsing. Instead, it has continued to launch counterattacks while keeping its political and military system functioning. This has surprised many observers who believed heavy military strikes and economic pressure would weaken Tehran quickly.

Many analysts expected Iran to face internal unrest after repeated attacks and sanctions. However, despite the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei earlier this year and continued military operations, the country’s leadership structure has remained intact. Large crowds at Khamenei’s funeral also suggested that the ruling establishment still enjoys significant support in many parts of the country.

Why didn’t Iran collapse like Venezuela?

Iran’s situation is very different from what happened in Venezuela. In Venezuela, the country’s economy depended heavily on oil exports. US sanctions severely affected the oil sector, leading to economic collapse, soaring inflation and political divisions within the government and military.

Iran, however, had spent years preparing for similar pressure. After facing sanctions for decades, it developed alternative ways to sell its oil. One major method is believed to be the use of a “dark fleet,” ships that reportedly switch off tracking systems and transfer oil between vessels at sea before selling it to buyers such as China through alternative payment systems.

Because oil exports never stopped completely, Iran continued earning revenue to support its economy, weapons production and military operations. The country also strengthened its defence industry, producing large numbers of drones and missiles over the years.

How have Iran’s military and public support helped?

Another major reason is Iran’s parallel security structure. Along with its regular armed forces, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) plays a powerful role in protecting the country’s leadership and military capabilities. During the conflict, both forces have continued working together instead of turning against each other.

The Iranian leadership has also portrayed years of US sanctions as part of a larger struggle against foreign pressure. This narrative appears to have helped unite many supporters during the conflict rather than triggering widespread unrest.