Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., said he was not surprised by the outcome of negotiations in Islamabad, pointing to Iran’s long-term preparation and military structure during an exchange with ABC’s Martha Raddatz.

Raddatz opened the discussion by asking Johnson about the failed talks and what could come next.

“What's your reaction to what happened here in Islamabad with no deal? What do you think happens now?” Raddatz asked.

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Johnson responded by outlining his view of Iran’s position and readiness, emphasizing that the lack of an agreement was not unexpected given the country’s history and resources.

“I'm not surprised at all, the ayatollahs, even though they have been so degraded in terms of their capabilities, nobody thought this would be easy. They've been preparing for this for 47 years. They have multiple layers. They've got 200,000 people in the IRGC, 600,000 people in the Basij police force,” Johnson said.

Johnson described the structure and size of Iran’s forces as a key factor shaping the situation, noting that the country’s leadership has maintained a system designed to preserve control.

He said those forces contribute to the difficulty of any internal opposition efforts.

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“They are brutal, by the way, this is exactly what nationwide gun control results in. The Iranian people are completely disarmed. It's going to be very difficult for them to rise up. And so it's a very difficult situation.”

The exchange came as discussions surrounding Iran and broader geopolitical tensions continue to draw attention following the failed negotiations in Islamabad. While details surrounding the talks have not led to an agreement, lawmakers and analysts have been weighing the implications of the outcome.

Johnson also addressed the potential path forward, focusing on the role of U.S. leadership in dealing with the Iranian government. He expressed hope regarding ongoing efforts involving President Donald Trump.

“Now I hope, I hope, that President Trump is successful in this, because if we could just imagine the world, if the ayatollahs, the brutal Iranian regime, is no longer in power, that's what we're trying to achieve. ”

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