For nearly half a century, the dictators in Iran have shouted, “Death to America.” The regime has killed Americans in the Middle East and abroad. It has constantly plotted against our ally Israel. The national morality police oppress women and girls. Before 1979, Iran was a prosperous nation. But the country has withered under the grip of the Ayatollah, its Supreme Leader.

Now, after a stunning series of events, his grip on power is slipping. Courageous Iranian citizens recently took to the streets in the biggest-ever protests against the oppressive regime. The Ayatollah does not recognize the right of free speech. Iranians willingly risked life and limb—making their protesting all the more admirable. The government responded violently. The Ayatollah has directed his officers to kill thousands of protestors.

Tyrants Assist the Ayatollah

To most of the world, the Ayatollah is an outcast. But Iran is central to the growing friendship between Russia and China, and all three have partnered with North Korea. Together, they are working to make the world less safe for us and our allies. China leads the pack. China forces Tehran to sell Iranian oil below market value, aware that American sanctions make Chinese markets the best Iran can get. Without Beijing’s purchase of oil, Iran’s economy would collapse.

Russia and North Korea support Iran’s military ambitions. Russia has helped both the Ayatollah and Kim Jong Un develop advanced ballistic missile technology. Many suspect that North Korea and Iran collaborate on nuclear weapons programs. Vladimir Putin has provided routine military hardware to Iran, such as fighter jets and air defense systems.

As these countries increase their collusion, their partnership gives clout to oppressive ideologies and weakens American influence over world events. History has taught us that a coalition of malevolent countries can very quickly become too much to handle. President Trump can weaken that axis and support the admirable Iranian protestors now by moving against the increasingly vulnerable Ayatollah.

America Puts Pressure on Iran

President Trump has repeatedly backed the demonstrators, and his actions over the past year paved the way for their widespread protests. When he returned to office, the president restored crippling sanctions on Iran. He helped Israel in last summer’s Twelve Day War. Most devastatingly, he executed Operation Midnight Hammer. That airtight mission dealt a significant blow to Iran’s nuclear program. If the Ayatollah acquires nuclear weapons, Americans will instantly become less safe.

This year, the president has sustained the pressure. He deployed the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and her strike group to the Middle East. Those 4.5 acres of American firepower send an unmistakable message to the Supreme Leader, who does not want a repeat of Operation Midnight Hammer. The military assets also have a practical effect. They give President Trump a range of options as he considers this rare opportunity to devastate Iran’s leaders.

Last summer, the United States and our ally Israel significantly degraded Iran’s air and ballistic missile defenses. The president could strike those assets again, further weakening the shield protecting the Ayatollah. Our military assets also help President Trump enforce sanctions, which he could even increase.

The freedom-loving protestors are looking to President Trump. He can strike barracks, armories, and command and control centers used to coordinate the regime’s mass slaughter of protestors. President Trump can deploy America’s prodigious cyber warfare capabilities, using them to decrease the regime’s ability to prevent protestors from communicating and to allow the world to see the Ayatollah’s brutal repression.

These are among the most difficult decisions a commander-in-chief faces. President Trump has consistently demonstrated excellent judgment when it comes to dealing with Iran. The Ayatollah has never been more vulnerable. President Trump should take action now to exploit that weakness.