America First Begins in Tehran

February 20, 2026

By Avi Drori, Sr. Contributor

​The foundational principle of an "America First" foreign policy has always been the cold-eyed pursuit of American interests over the abstract ideals of globalism. For too long, Washington has treated the Islamic Republic of Iran as a manageable nuisance or a diplomatic puzzle to be solved with pallets of cash and sunset clauses. In 2026, as the world teeters on the edge of a new era of great power competition, it is time to recognize a hard truth: The road to a secure, prosperous, and dominant America runs directly through Tehran. True "America First" policy does not mean isolationism; it means the decisive removal of obstacles to American power. The current regime in Tehran is not just a regional threat; it is the linchpin of a global anti-American axis that spans from Moscow to Pyongyang and Beijing. Effecting a transition to a sovereign, pro-Western Iran is no longer a "neoconservative project"—it is a strategic necessity.

​Dismantling the Axis of Upheaval

​The primary threat to the American worker and the American soldier today is the "CRINK" alliance—China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Iran is the vital bridge in this architecture. By providing drones for Russian aggression in Ukraine and selling subsidized oil to fuel China’s industrial machine, the Mullahs have made themselves indispensable to our greatest rivals.

​Taking the "Tehran component" off the board would:

• ​Decapitate Global Jihad: It removes the primary state sponsor of the movement that labels the U.S. "The Great Satan."

• ​Cripple Russia and China: Without Iranian energy and geography, Russia loses its southern corridor, and China loses its most reliable "rogue" partner in the Middle East.

• ​Neutralize the Proxies: From the Houthis in Yemen to Hezbollah in Lebanon and the militias in Iraq, the anti-American "Ring of Fire" would collapse without its Iranian heartbeat.

​Reclaiming the Middle East for Our Allies

​For decades, our most reliable partners—Israel, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt—have been forced to hedge their bets because of American indecision. A pro-Western government in Tehran would fundamentally reorder the region. It would isolate the opportunistic expansionism of Erdogan’s Turkey and force a realignment that favors stability over subversion.

​By removing the Iranian threat, we allow the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) to flourish. Imagine an economic chain where American goods and Indian trade flow through a stable UAE, Saudi Arabia, and a liberated Iran. This isn’t just diplomacy; it’s a masterstroke of geoeconomics that secures the U.S. as the world’s undisputed #1 superpower.

​The Economic and Cultural Dividend

​The fall of the current regime would open one of the world’s last great untapped markets to American industry. From aerospace and tech to infrastructure and energy, a liberated Iran represents a trillion-dollar opportunity for American companies and workers.

​Furthermore, a victory in Tehran is a victory against the globalist "woke" movement that has dominated Western capitals. For years, this movement has prioritized "engagement" with oppressive regimes while neglecting American strength. Restoring a traditional, sovereign, and pro-Western Iran proves that American resolve—not bureaucratic "equity" or international "norms"—is what actually secures a free and stable world.

​Conclusion: The Best Defense is a Bold Offense

​Some will argue that "regime change" leads to endless wars. On the contrary, the current policy of containment is what leads to endless, low-boil conflict. By supporting the Iranian people’s desire for freedom and decisively ending the Islamic Republic’s reign, we don't just solve a Middle Eastern problem—we break the back of the global anti-American movement.

​If we want to put America First, we must stop playing defense. We must realize that the security of our borders, the strength of our economy, and the safety of our allies all begin with a new dawn in Tehran.