{
  "id": 3740411,
  "title": "Former IDF officer: US has shifted from Iran nuclear deal to regime-collapse strategy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/former-idf-officer-us-has-shifted-from-iran-nuclear-deal-to-regime",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-27T13:18:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/podcast/article-906743"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The United States has transitioned its approach towards Iran, shifting from pursuing a nuclear deal to a strategy focused on hastening the collapse of the Iranian regime, according to Or Horvitz, a senior fellow at JPPI and former IDF officer. Horvitz acknowledges that the ongoing nuclear negotiations obscure the US' true objective, which is to hasten the regime's downfall rather than negotiate a favorable deal. Public interest has been captivated by the frequent negotiations and Iranian propaganda, but the US quietly resumed a \"maximum pressure\" campaign reminiscent of Ronald Reagan's confrontation with the Soviet Union, according to Horvitz. He asserts that negotiating with the current Iranian leadership is futile, describing it as a hawkish military junta more extreme than its predecessor and unwilling to compromise over its core interests, including the Strait of Hormuz and its nuclear program. Horvitz identifies two factions within the Trump administration, one led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio advocating for regime collapse, and another linked to Vice President JD Vance still pursuing a negotiated outcome, both now united in backing escalated economic pressure. The regime's economic situation has worsened, with soaring inflation and minimum-wage earners struggling to afford basic necessities, placing Tehran in a more vulnerable position compared to the initial pressure campaign. Horvitz warns that a cornered and panicked Iran might resort to irrational or preemptive strikes against Gulf states, Europe, or even NATO members. He clarifies that toppling the regime is a matter of time, not a certainty, drawing parallels to Reagan's approach which took eight years to bring down the Soviet Union. Horvitz advises that the weakened Iranian economy presents a historic opportunity to weaken Hezbollah, the regime's most significant proxy, while cautioning that a power vacuum could empower Sunni jihadist groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS. Regarding Syria and Turkey, Horvitz calls for pragmatism over confrontation, advocating for cooperation with Damascus on shared interests and navigating Ankara as a growing challenge that is not equivalent to Iran. Horvitz concludes with a warning reminiscent of Winston Churchill's assertion that Iran is a bully, and appeasing a bully is unwise.",
  "summary": "Behind the stalled Iran talks lies a quiet US pivot: not a deal, but a strategy to collapse the regime. Or Horvitz breaks down what the headlines are missing.",
  "key_points": [
    "US shifts strategy from nuclear deal to regime-collapse approach in Iran.",
    "Former IDF officer Or Horvitz reveals true objective is hastening regime's downfall.",
    "Iran's weakened economy offers historic opportunity to weaken Hezbollah."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}