Ex-CIA Officer Details Covert 'Crown of Thorns' Strategy for Iran Regime Change
A former CIA covert intelligence officer has provided an exclusive insight into how Donald Trump could potentially pursue regime change in Iran through a clandestine operation dubbed the 'crown of thorns' strategy. This revelation comes amidst escalating tensions in the Gulf region, with the US President issuing stark warnings to Tehran about its nuclear ambitions.
Escalating Rhetoric and Military Buildup in the Gulf
Donald Trump has recently warned the Iranian government that 'time is running out' to strike an agreement on its nuclear programme. This statement coincides with a noticeable build-up of American military assets in the strategically vital Gulf waters, signalling a potential hardening of the US stance.
In a defiant response, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared that the country's armed forces are prepared 'with their fingers on the trigger' to deliver an immediate and powerful counter to any assault. This exchange underscores the heightened state of alert and the risk of miscalculation between the two nations.
Why a Venezuela-Style Intervention is Deemed Unlikely
Andrew Bustamante, the ex-CIA officer and host of the EverydaySpy podcast, contends that a direct military intervention in Iran, similar to past operations in Venezuela, appears improbable. He explains that the United States lacks the same tactical advantages it held in the South American context.
'The United States does not have military dominance on the border of Iran, like we had military dominance on the border of Venezuela,' Bustamante stated. 'We don't have a case for the Ayatollah, we don't have a legal indictment that would be something we could charge against the Ayatollah.'
The 'Crown of Thorns' Alternative: A Partnership Strategy
Instead, Bustamante proposes a more plausible alternative that 'makes more sense' for the Iranian theatre. This strategy involves Washington partnering with another regional power, providing material resources, funding, and intelligence to enable a proxy operation.
'It makes more sense that the United States would support and provide material resources, money and intelligence to Israel and allow Israel to go in and assassinate the Ayatollah,' he elaborated. 'That's strategically beneficial to the United States, strategically beneficial to Israel, strategically beneficial to Europe.'
The operation's moniker, 'crown of thorns', derives from the anticipated international reaction. Bustamante suggests it would allow Israel to wear the symbolic crown, bearing global criticism for the action, while the United States still achieves its core objective of maintaining regional primacy.
Historical Precedent and Operational Logic
Bustamante bolstered his analysis by referencing a historical precedent: the 2024 assassination of former Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Reports indicated Haniyeh was killed by a missile that tracked his mobile phone, an operation later confirmed by Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz.
Applying this logic to the current scenario, the former spy suggested it would be more logical for a partner state to 'do the same thing' to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He argued that amidst Iran's internal economic uprisings, such a move 'makes more sense' than a high-risk capture mission, which he characterised as overly complicated.
'There is no reason for Israel to merely apprehend the Ayatollah,' Bustamante maintained, emphasising the perceived operational advantages of a decisive strike over a complex detention effort.
This detailed assessment from a former intelligence insider sheds light on the covert strategic options that may be under consideration as diplomatic channels strain and military posturing intensifies around the Iranian question.
