Tehran Is Repositioning Its Terror Proxies for a Domestic Crackdown

After spending years exporting its influence, the ruling regime in Iran is now importing its regional proxies to assist with any crackdown against a revival of the mass protests that resulted in the deaths of around 40,000 demonstrators in January. 

More than 1,000 armed fighters affiliated with the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), an Iraqi state security institution dominated by Iran-backed militias, have crossed the border into Iran under the guise of humanitarian aid convoys. Other regime-backed militias, including the Afghan Fatemiyoun Division and the Pakistani Zaynabiyoun Brigade, have paraded around Tehran to terrorize Iranians.

The regime is also setting up checkpoints, deploying repression patrols, and stationing heavy military equipment across major cities as it readies to confront the true existential threat it faces — not American or Israeli bombs but rather the Iranian people.

Regime Has Used Proxies To Crush Protests in the Past

During the January 2026 anti-regime uprising, the Islamic Republic deployed its regional terror network to support its own repression apparatus as it slaughtered unarmed protesters. Iraqi security sources reported that nearly 5,000 Iraqi militiamen, mostly members of U.S.-designated terror groups, entered Iran during the protest wave. Fearing defectionswithin its own ranks, Iran’s security apparatus has relied on these groups as a check on its own forces, entrusting them with its most brutal tasks.

The regime’s dependence on external support to kill Iranians traces back to the 2009 protest wave. The militias returned again in 2019 to ensure that protesters could not rise up against the regime. During the 2022 “Women, Life, Freedom” movement, the regime once more imported its proxies to violently suppress demonstrators. 

Attacks Against Iran’s Repression Apparatus Are Paving the Way for Renewed Protests

Israel and the United States are staying true to their promise of facilitating the conditions for Iranians to define their own destiny, reiterating that protesters will receive a “clear signal” when it is safe for them to mobilize. The degradation of Iran’s own repression apparatus creates an opening for protesters, something the importation of ruthless terror groups seeks to preempt.

The joint military campaign has degraded the repression infrastructure used to kill protesters, including bases belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Basij, and law enforcement forces. Strikes have also eliminated senior commanders, along with thousands of personnel, through hyperlocal targeting of checkpoints and forces staying in tents after airstrikes destroyed their bases.

Alongside removing senior leadership, encouraging defections will be critical for meaningful change. Israel is reportedly reaching out to mid-level commanders, pressing them to be prepared to defect.

Washington Should Encourage Defections and Target Militias

Eliminating Iranian personnel while encouraging defections is crucial for supporting the people of Iran, but a parallel strategy needs to address the threat posed by Iraqi militias. Likely American airstrikes have been targeting Iran-backed militias across Iraq, including a PMF convoy entering Iran on April 4. 

The United States should continue operations against Iran’s militias in Iraq while communicating to the Iraqi government that such strikes will not cease until they take serious action to rein in Tehran’s proxies. Furthermore, the Trump administration must stick to its requirement that senior roles in the next Iraqi government cannot be filled by affiliates of U.S.-designated militias, all of whom are members of the PMF. Also, the Treasury Department should sanction the PMF, which provides funds to these U.S.-designated terror groups.

Bridget Toomey is a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), where she focuses on Iranian proxies. Janatan Sayeh is a research analyst at FDD, where he focuses on Iranian domestic affairs and the Islamic Republic’s regional malign influence. For more analysis from Bridget, Janatan, and FDD, please subscribe HERE. Follow Bridget on X @BridgetKToomey and Janatan @JanatanSayeh. Follow FDD on X @FDD and @FDD_Iran. FDD is a Washington, DC-based, nonpartisan research institute focused on national security and foreign policy.