للقصة بقية - لماذا نجحت واشنطن في اختبار فنزويلا وتعثر رهانها على الحسم في إيران؟ — Friday 22 May 2026Washington's recent pressure campaign against Venezuela appears to have yielded tangible political concessions in Caracas, prompting analysts to question why similar economic and diplomatic tools have produced far less decisive results in Iran. While sanctions and international isolation helped fracture the Maduro government and open pathways for negotiated transitions, Tehran has maintained internal cohesion despite years of comparable restrictions. The contrast raises fresh questions about the limits of external leverage when applied to a state with deep regional alliances and diversified economic lifelines. For audiences across the Middle East, the disparity carries direct consequences. Iran’s ability to withstand pressure has sustained its influence in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen, shaping security calculations from Beirut to the Gulf. Oil markets remain sensitive to any renewed confrontation, while regional actors weigh the costs of alignment with Washington against the risks of confronting a resilient neighbor. Lebanese observers, in particular, note that repeated bets on rapid political change in Tehran have repeatedly fallen short, leaving local power balances largely intact. The episode also highlights shifting American priorities. With attention returning to great-power competition and domestic concerns, sustained focus on Iran appears less assured than earlier rhetoric suggested. This uncertainty leaves Middle Eastern capitals recalibrating expectations about future US engagement and the durability of existing sanctions regimes.Watch the full video from Al Jazeera English below.