The article from Dawn, published on January 12, 2026, explores the critical question of whether the Trump administration might replicate its interventionist approach in Venezuela with Iran. This inquiry arose in the wake of recent (simulated, as per the prompt's current time of January 14, 2026) US military actions in Venezuela, which included the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and assertions of US control over Venezuela's oil industry. Trump's administration had previously pursued a 'maximum pressure' campaign against Iran, withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and imposing extensive sanctions to isolate Tehran and damage its economy. This policy was coupled with threats of military action and a stated preference for a new deal to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. However, experts widely cautioned against drawing direct parallels between Venezuela and Iran. Analysts highlighted Iran's status as a central regional power with deep strategic depth, robust state institutions, and significant influence across the Middle East. They argued that any attempt to replicate the 'Venezuela model'—which involved targeted strikes and the arrest of a leader already subject to criminal indictments, rather than a full-scale invasion—would entail substantially higher risks of regional escalation and international confrontation in the Iranian context. The discussion underscored that while Trump preferred low-risk, no-boots-on-the-ground surgical attacks, Iran's strong security apparatus, including the Revolutionary Guards, would complicate external intervention without significant internal upheaval. The possibility of a deal with elements of the Iranian regime, rather than backing an opposition figure, also emerged as a point of speculation. The story's relevance to India stems from the profound implications such geopolitical shifts in the Middle East would have on global oil markets and regional stability, directly affecting India's energy security and strategic interests.