By Ray DiLorenzo
Iranian people want regime change.
One cannot overstate Iran’s impact on the entire Middle East and much of the world. Iran, as it exists today, is a brutal Islamic state where freedom and human rights are merely a distant memory, as it operates very much like a society from the 7th century. Their influence is far-reaching, spreading Islamic jihad across the globe.
In the 1970s, Iran was a secular monarchy that ruled as a dictatorship under the Shah. Although people in Iran lacked political freedom, they enjoyed social freedoms and a modern, Western-style social, educational, and industrial economic system.
Some would say how terrible the Shah was, but today Iranians still lack any political freedom and have none of the social freedoms or educational opportunities they enjoyed under the Shah. Any dissent in Iran is dealt with severely. The system that was created by the clerics was designed to protect the power at the top, the supreme leader. There are no co-equal branches of government or institutions.
What Iran considers serious crimes are basic civil rights in almost every other country. Morality police patrol the streets looking for those who flaunt any sign of individuality, like dressing inappropriately. Deciding what you want to wear or with whom you will associate can be considered serious crimes. Commonplace executions often result in the brutalization of those who witness them.
The legal system in Iran is strictly Islamic. It recognizes only three types of crime: hudud crimes, qisas, and tazir crimes. Hudud being the most offensive.
For hudud crimes, the punishment is almost always death. Examples would be adultery, blasphemy, and apostasy.
Qisas crimes operate under the principle of retribution. In cases of murder or serious injury, the victim’s family can demand execution or forgiveness. With forgiveness, the family can request compensation.
Tazir crimes are somewhat loose in interpretation, with the punishment left to the judges discretion. Examples of tazir crimes are drug trafficking, possession, robbery, drinking intoxicants, dressing immodestly, homosexuality, and other sexual crimes.
Some of the punishments include hanging, stoning, firing squad, beheading, cutting off fingers, blinding, or, in demonstrations of mercy, just cutting out one eye. Denial of legal representation is commonplace, as are coerced confessions (torture).
In 2004, a 16-year-old girl was hanged in public after receiving 95 lashes for crimes against chastity. She had a criminal background, having been previously caught alone in a car with a boy at 13. For that she was whipped 100 times and sent to prison.
The end of the current regime in Iran could significantly change the political landscape in the Middle East. Iran’s influence and use of proxies to spread their terror are widely known. Hamas, Hezbollah, Ansar Allah (the Houthis), Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Al Ashtar Brigades, and others are all Iranian proxies. Their use by Iran is a constant irritant or cancer that destabilizes the region.
This change could lead to a peaceful shift in power dynamics and a lowering of factional tensions throughout the Middle East caused by Iran’s intervention.
The people of Iran, no doubt, would celebrate a return of freedom and a way of life missing for 46 years. The desire for liberation and a form of democracy could inspire a wave of reform and peace throughout the region, fostering cooperation and understanding among neighboring nations.
The only long-term solution to bring peace to the region can only be regime change in Iran. Any other so-called deal or agreement would be a temporary fix that fails to address the underlying issues. Without genuine change in Iran, the cycle of conflict and instability is likely to persist, hindering progress and prosperity for both the Iranian people and their neighbors.
The shah’s son, Reza Pahlavi, publicly declared his willingness to act as an interim leader until elections take place. With the backing of the United States, the chance of chaos and uncertainty could be minimal. It is interesting to note that Mr. Pahlavi and Iranian groups like Cyrus Force USA believe any military action by the United States against Iran is unnecessary since their government is in near collapse.
For regime change, the best course of action would be to support the Iranian people and organizations like Cyrus Force USA. A change in regime would take care of the nuclear problem and the Iran problem simultaneously. This approach not only empowers the Iranian population but also fosters a more stable and peaceful region. By prioritizing diplomacy and support for grassroots movements, the international community can help pave the way for a more democratic and secure Iran.
In this new landscape, the potential for peace and stability may finally emerge, benefiting not just the Iranian people but all who call the Middle East home. And that would be long overdue.
