Iran seeks outside forces as protests escalate

Recruitment began several days ago, with fighters sent to Iran to bolster regime forces amid the protests.

By World Israel News Staff

As protests across Iran continue to spread and intensify nationwide with no signs of slowing, mounting unrest is deepening pressure on the regime and straining its internal security forces.

Against this backdrop, reports indicate that Tehran is increasingly turning to foreign forces to help suppress the growing wave of dissent.

A report published Wednesday by N12 News, citing the Iranian opposition outlet Iran International, said approximately 800 Iraqi fighters have been transferred into Iran in recent days to assist local security forces.

Most of the operatives reportedly belong to pro-Iranian Shiite militias, including Kataib Hezbollah, Harakat al-Nujaba, Sayyid al-Shuhada, and the Badr Organization.

According to the report, recruitment efforts by the militias began several days earlier, with the fighters dispatched to Iran to reinforce regime security forces struggling to contain the protests.

The report added that Iraqi government officials are aware of the deployment and its coordination with Tehran.

The development follows Arab media reports that Esmail Qaani, head of the IRGC’s Quds Force, recently visited Baghdad, a move widely seen as part of Iran’s effort to mobilize its regional proxy network.

Earlier this week, The New York Times reported that senior figures in Iran’s leadership have entered what officials privately described as “survival mode,” acknowledging the regime faces its most severe internal crisis to date.

According to the report, President Masoud Pezeshkian privately admitted that he has “no ideas or solutions” to stabilize the situation.

Taken together, the reports suggest that as domestic unrest deepens and confidence within Iran’s leadership erodes, Tehran is increasingly relying on external militias and regional proxy forces to shore up regime survival.