Erfan Fard
It’s believed that President Joe Biden would not have easily sanctioned the bombing of IRGC bases along the Syria-Iraq border, especially just 1-2 nights before the New Year of 2024. Yet, as time progresses, it’s crucial for the American intelligence community, akin to Israel’s approach, to acknowledge the perspective of Iran’s Islamic terrorist leadership. To these leaders, the Middle East appears to be nothing more than a war trophy, a spoil of conflict. It is increasingly evident that diplomatic approaches are ineffective; only a show of strength and an iron fist can potentially push back against these terrorist loving mullahs, characterized by their inherent cowardice, contemptibility, and foolishness – a direct product of Khomeinism.
Despite this, it seems that the concepts of peace and stability in the Middle East are given scant regard. If these were genuine concerns, international efforts would focus on facilitating a Regime Change in Tehran. The departure of the late Shah 45 years ago, on January 16, 1979, marked the loss of the region’s pillar and cornerstone of stability and peace.
The Middle East, a region mired in turbulence, is witnessing escalating tensions largely fueled by Iran’s assertive military stance and its backing of various terrorist organizations. The U.S. and Israel, directly threatened by these actions, must seriously contemplate a military strike on IRGC’s bases. Such a response is not only strategically necessary but also a direct counter to the chaos propagated by Tehran through terrorist proxies, notably Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthi Islamic rebels.
The Iranian-backed Houthi group in Yemen, alongside Shia terrorist militias in Iraq, have ramped up terrorist attacks on Israeli and U.S. targets. This aggression is in retaliation to Israeli strikes in Gaza, further exposing the aggressive and deep-rooted stance of Tehran’s regime. The regional threat posed by Iran’s actions is immense and cannot be overstated.
Moreover, Iran’s support extends to Islamic terrorist groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad(PIJ), implicated in significant acts of violence. This includes the tragic “Black Shabbat” event on October 7, which resulted in over 1,200 Israeli casualties and led to an extensive conflict in Gaza. The Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO) of the IRGC and Quds Forces have played a pivotal role in these escalations. Iran’s leadership has not shied away from voicing their intent to destroy Israel. Similarly, Hezbollah, another group backed by Iran, has launched countless rocket attacks against Israel, thus exacerbating regional instability.
Iran’s influence extends to the Suez Canal, with the Iran-backed Houthis engaging in attacks and hijackings, posing a significant threat to one of the world’s most crucial waterways. Likewise, Iranian-supported terrorist militias in Syria and Iraq are targeting U.S. bases and pose a threat to moderate Arab nations in the Persian Gulf vicinity.
This aggravation leads us to a pressing question: Why should a disruptive actor on the international stage be allowed to operate with impunity? Is their continued existence due to connections with major Asian powers like Russia and China? For over four decades, the Iranian mullah’s regime has been a central source of conflict and terrorism, not just in the Middle East, but globally. Its extensive network of terror sleeper cells represents a continuous threat, including to America.
The only viable conclusion is that the destructive influence of Iran’s regime must be decisively curtailed. While regime change might appear as a potential solution, it is a topic fraught with contention in international politics, particularly within Washington’s political corridors. Discussions on regime change are often met with accusations of warmongering, influenced by lobbyists, apologists, and regime supporters. These individuals and groups, with vested interests in maintaining the status quo, often overlook the regime’s terrorist activities.
Confronting the reality of Iran’s destabilizing actions is overdue. The reign of terror propagated by Tehran’s regime belongs in the annals of history. A Middle East free from the oppressive grip of the Iranian mullahs and its Shia Crescent is not only desirable but necessary for the region’s peace and stability. The international community must unite in this endeavor, acknowledging the urgent need to address the root cause of the Middle East’s turmoil.
For 45 years, a persistent affliction has tormented the Middle East. Now is the time for a decisive response – a metaphorical detoxification and surgery. Yet, I remain hopeful that the new White House administration will give this critical issue the serious consideration it demands.