Many Iranians thank President Trump for his courageous decision in re-imposing U.S. sanctions on the Islamic Republic of Iran–the state sponsor of terrorism. He boldly confronted Iran’s terrorist regime.
However, some have criticized the Trump administration that his action was not enough. He must act decisively not just make proclamations and rhetorical statements. When America acts, it demonstrates its adherence to principles of decency and human rights, overriding commercial considerations and political expedience.
It is no secret that Islamic regime is the world’s largest sponsor of terrorism and that their goal remains to have nuclear weapons. The regime in Iran has proven time and again that it cannot be trusted and that its true intentions are the ultimate destruction of Israel and the United States
The United States has based its decision on numerous justifications, some of which I take the liberty of reciting here.
The Iranian regime has shown:
- A blatant disregard for the Vienna Convention and its guarantee of protection for diplomatic personnel.
- The wanton violation of human rights in Iran.
- The sponsorship of terrorism in much of the world, with a focus on the greater Middle East.
- Their support for Hamas and Hezbollah in their belligerence against Israel.
- The collaboration with Bashar Assad of Syria’s regime in his genocidal criminal policy.
- A commitment to the destruction of the State of Israel.
- The persistence in developing a nuclear weapons program to further its misguided aggressive agenda that can prompt other Middle Eastern States to also pursue the course of nuclear proliferation.
There is no question that many in the military are alienated from the Mullahs and the Islamic regime. Yet, the majority of disaffected people are among lower ranking officers since the high commanders are often servile appointees of the leader.
Nonetheless, there is a great deal of disaffection there and, given the right opportunity, history will repeat itself. In the same way that the military turned against the Shah in 1979, it is very likely that a large segment of the military will defect from the Mullahs and join the people in any serious uprising.
It is the regular military rather than the Revolutionary Guard that is most likely to harbor a significant number of people who are opposed to the regime and would be willing to fight on the side of the people
Realistically speaking, there is perhaps 10-15 percent of the population that still supports the clerical system to various degrees. Many in this group are government employees, Mullahs, and hired thugs such as Basiji. Also, the regime has some backers among the poor, the less educated, and the deeply religious. Yet, the alienation from the regime spans the entire spectrum of Iranian society with the intelligentsia and university students leading the determined opposition to end Islamic rule. The supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei is greatly despised by an overwhelming majority of Iranians.
The only way to stop Iran ‘s despotic regime from another holocaust, is to help Iranians change the regime themselves. Notably, the Islamic regime has no fear of any foreign invasion. Their only fear comes from within, by the Iranian people.
Moral Support
Moral support from America has been at most tentative and minimal, a terrible failure of Obama administration. He missed an opportunity to answer the call of the Iranian people: “Obama, you’re either with us or with them.”
Material support? The money appropriated by Congress in the Bush Administration of less than $75 million went mostly to fund a Farsi radio service and their personnel. The support so far from the U.S. and Israel has been far less than it should be. Instead of launching a fusillade of missiles that cost over a half billion in a vain attempt to damage the mullah’s nuclear program, a fraction of that amount would be better spent by supplying the opposition with the means to overcome the Mullahs suffocating censorship and countering their campaign of disinformation.
While Iran continues to develop its missile program that is sharply criticized by the United States and Israel, they simultaneously seek to suppress the people’s desire to keep a share of the country’s wealth. Prosecution and imprisonment of innocent people and the systematic and illegal abuse of detainees, along with hundreds of gruesome acts, have also been reported.
Iranians have witnessed several uprisings, but they have become numb and unable to function and conduct a normal life. The battle against the Islamic regime remains arduous and long. The mullahs will not give up power easily, even if that means the complete destruction of Iran.
Conclusion:
President Trump should be praised for his courage and bravery. However, the President should unite all nations to put an end to a regime reminiscent of the Hitlerian menace.
© 2019 Amil Imani – All Rights Reserved
