Retired U.S. Vice Admiral Robert Harward has said that some people inside Iran are welcoming the ongoing military pressure on the country’s ruling establishment, suggesting that certain segments of the population see the situation as an opportunity for change.
Harward, a former senior commander at United States Central Command, made the remarks during an interview on Fox & Friends on Fox News on Saturday, March 7, 2026, while discussing developments in the escalating conflict involving the United States and Iran.
Reflecting on conversations he said he has had with contacts inside and around the country, the retired naval officer suggested that some Iranians have long been waiting for a moment that could weaken the country’s leadership.
“As you said, I have friends in and around Iran. They are all cheering. They have been waiting for this moment for decades,” Harward said during the interview.
According to him, some individuals believe sustained pressure on Iran’s leadership structures could eventually create an opening for broader political change within the country.
Harward’s comments come as military operations against Iranian targets have intensified, with U.S. forces focusing on degrading Iran’s missile systems, drone capabilities and other strategic assets. The campaign forms part of a broader effort by Washington and its allies to limit Tehran’s ability to project military power across the Middle East.
The former CENTCOM commander argued that weakening key institutions of the Iranian state, particularly those linked to security and military power could shift internal dynamics and embolden opposition elements within the country.
Harward suggested that if the leadership structures of Iran’s security apparatus were sufficiently weakened, it could provide what he described as a long-awaited opportunity for some Iranians seeking political change.
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