Between January seventh 1978 and February eleventh 1979, the people of Iran revolted against the Pahlavi Dynasty. The monarchy was replaced by the conservative Islamic Republic of Iran with Ayatollah Ruhallah Khomeini as the Imam. Today, the Islamic Republic rules with an iron fist, and for decades, the regime has carried out oppressive campaigns against its own people. Just a few months ago, they slaughtered thousands of protesters across the country who were protesting inflation, forced covering, and the lack of personal freedoms. Although regime change in Iran has been necessary for many years, US and Israeli military intervention was not. Now, tensions have risen from strained relations with potential allies such as Qatar, and the possibility of a catastrophe like the permanent closing of the Strait of Hormuz is becoming more and more likely.
The Mullahs, religious rulers of Iran, have been detrimental to Iranian society, allowing the rape, torture of prisoners, and violent suppression of civilian demonstrations. They have also destabilized the region by backing foreign terrorist militias such as the Houthis in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon. However, in order for true change to come into fruition and for the Iranian people to maintain their 2,500-year civilization, change must come from within without relying on US and Israeli imperialism to rid the Iranians of their oppressors.
Despite Republican officials pushing toward escalation, experts across the political spectrum warn that a war with Iran would be disastrous. Past government figures such as former Director of Counterterrorism Joe Kent have expressed serious concerns about the consequences of this conflict. Every day the US remains at war with Iran increases the possibility of it spiraling into a wider, more brutal war. These concerns are not just prevalent among professionals who study wars. A recent poll conducted by PBS concluded that nearly 60% of American citizens are against any escalation toward the Iran war.
The war has also caused a global energy crisis with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting nearly 20% of oil supplies worldwide. Pew Research Center says 69% of Americans are worried about the war affecting gas prices because of the instability in the Strait.
Recent actions from the United States have only fueled these concerns. Although the Trump Administration was able to achieve a fragile two-week ceasefire deal and the Regime has reopened the Strait until the end of the agreed truce, President Donald Trump’s conduct on social media and positioning of naval ships to the Strait of Hormuz threatens any hopes for lasting peace.
The most effective path forward would be to focus on giving the Iranians the tools to reclaim their country rather than foreign military intervention. This would involve uncensoring satellite internet to break blackouts and offering international support for labor strikes. By strengthening the Iranian people’s ability to organize and communicate, an effective resistance becomes feasible.
Until recently, the common enemy of most Iranians was its own government, but the more the people of Iran suffer under the weight of US and Israeli bombs, the more likely the United States will become the new common enemy. History has repeatedly shown that when outside powers attempt to impose change, the people of the region resist for years, and we have no reason to believe that Iran will be any different.
