Trump has been emboldened on multiple fronts by the tactical success in Venezuela, but Iran presents far more complexities. The Islamic republic relies on the elite Revolutionary Guards, who in recent weeks have ruthlessly put down mass protests, killing thousands. - Military strength -Trump said on social media that the US fleet near Iran was larger than the one sent to Venezuela. US forces rapidly went in and out of Caracas, which lies near the Caribbean coast and is in the same hemisphere as the United States. Advertisement AdvertisementAdvertisement AdvertisementRather than vowing to topple the Islamic republic, Trump has urged it to end the standoff by accepting tough constraints on its nuclear program as well as missiles.