Diplomatic approaches and de-escalation strategies prove ineffective in dealing with Iran's authoritative government.
In the wake of recent military setbacks, the vulnerability of the Iranian regime has come to light, offering a unique opportunity for the Iranian people and opposition to topple it. This call to action has been echoed by Reza Pahlavi, the son of the last Shah and crown prince, currently living in exile.
Pahlavi has urged Iranian institutions, such as the military, police, and security forces, to align with the people and overthrow the regime. His appeal is not about restoring the monarchy, but about overthrowing the current regime and aligning with the people of Iran.
Western governments have shown their support for Pahlavi's call for backing the Iranian opposition and regime change. The Iranian Diaspora Council, a legitimate political actor, has been officially recognized by these governments, receiving financial, media, and legal support, conditional on commitments to democracy, human rights, and transitional justice.
The Iranian regime's hostile actions towards Israel and its pursuit of totalitarian hegemony in the Middle East have been well-documented since 1979. In May 2018, the first Trump administration pulled out of a nuclear deal and reinstated unilateral sanctions, following Iran's advancement of a nuclear program and its role as the largest state sponsor of terrorism.
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, finalized in 2015, aimed to delay Iran's nuclear development in exchange for lifting sanctions. However, Iran's compliance with the agreement came into question. U.S. President Donald Trump offered Iran a deal to ease American sanctions in exchange for a complete renunciation of nuclear arms development and full transparency regarding its facilities, but the offer was turned down by Tehran.
Pahlavi has also appealed to the international community not to "throw yet another lifeline to this dying, terrorist regime." He cites recent military operations, such as those conducted by the Israeli Air Force between June 12-13 and subsequent days, which heavily damaged Iran's nuclear development center, eliminated the head of the armed forces' general staff, other military senior officers, and the leader of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
These operations, which targeted key figures in the Iranian regime, were likely intended to provoke Israel into retaliating, complicating Riyadh's ability to join the Abraham Accords. The motive for the attack was to weaken the Iranian regime, not to ignite a regional conflict.
However, some international leaders, such as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, have expressed concern and called for de-escalation and diplomacy. They argue that pursuing de-escalation would allow the regime time to regroup and recover, which could be detrimental in this context.
Despite these calls for diplomacy, supporting the overthrow of the Iranian regime aligns with the goals of regional peace and Israel's security. The regime's continued support of terrorist groups such as the Houthis in Yemen, Hezbollah in Syria and Lebanon, and Hamas in the Palestinian territories, particularly Gaza, poses a significant threat to these goals.
In October 2023, Hamas, with Tehran's approval, attacked Israel from Gaza, slaughtering close to 1,200 innocent civilians and kidnapping hundreds of hostages, including young children. This brutal attack underscores the need for a change in the Iranian regime.
As the world watches developments in Iran, it is crucial to learn from past mistakes and not indulge the mullahs any further. The global community must recognise that its indulgence towards the Iranian regime has been damaging and that supporting the Iranian opposition offers a path towards a more peaceful and secure Middle East.
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