This past month, I’ve been excited about the images coming out of Iran, seeing those who love freedom stand up to the oppressive regime that’s ruled the country by fear since 1979.
But I’ve also seen some really bad ideas that would not be in the best interests of these young protesters, and might actually play into the hands of the Iranian government.
Ever since I can remember, I’ve been interested in Iran. When I was a kid, I sneaked out of bed to watch Nightline. I felt so bad for our U.S. hostages and their treatment that I remember sleeping on the floor as a nine-year-old kid. I went to school with a classmate whose family had fled the Ayatollah Khomeini’s regime, so I learned that just because you were an Iranian, that didn’t mean that person supported their government.
I’ve taught Iranian students. And I’ve published work about the Mahmoud Ahmadinejad regime, their foreign policy, and how to oppose it.
Over the past month, Iranians have engaged in the biggest protests since the ones associated with the headscarfs, or even 2009. And it’s clear the regime has let down its own people. They’ve focused more on trying to control Lebanon, Syria, make trouble for Israel, and help Russia against Ukraine (just like some of our politicians who support Putin). They’ve neglected the economy, and squelched any sort of personal or political freedom. They’ve had the same Supreme Leader since the 1980s, and only political leaders that kiss his ring.
I’ve enjoyed seeing people light cigarettes with burning photos of regime leaders, even though I am not a big fan of tobacco.
But there are problems. On Twitter, influencers are saying they want someone from the Shah’s family to rule again. Hang on. People liked the personal freedoms they enjoyed, but hardly anyone out of that former ruling family wants the return of the Shah’s squelching of political freedom, or have that bloodthirsty SAVAK government group that was so heavy-handed that it brought about the Iranian Revolution in the first place.
Backing a Neo-Shah would be a huge mistake.
Another mistake might be to bomb Iran for going after the protesters. Wiser heads have pointed out that if we go around bombing Tehran or Tabriz, or even some other city, it would actually boost support for the Iranian regime more than it would ever have a chance of removing this theocracy. Do we really want an Iranian regime coming back from this stronger?
We also need to ask: is expelling Iranians who fled the regime, who bitterly oppose their policies, and sending them back to their deaths, a wise move? It certainly doesn’t sound like what any true Christian would do. Anti-regime Iranians in America are a valuable asset, and don’t deserve the death penalty by expulsion. We embrace this community, which has little love for the Ayatollahs.
I agree with President Donald Trump that we need to target the supporters of the Iranian regime. But Trump said he wanted to “tariff” them. Tariff? So charge surcharges on sold goods? We really need some economic experts explain things to the White House. Hopefully the President can realize the difference between sanctions and tariffs. Smart sanctions, as well as sanctions targeting Iranian allies, would probably accomplish whatever Trump hopes to achieve from all of this.
Hopefully Iran will experience a democratic transition, something we can get wholeheartedly support, and gain a valuable resource-rich Middle Eastern ally. Bombing, expulsion, bringing back a family linked to authoritarianism, and “tariffing” others won’t help us achieve these goals.