Messages to Iran — 'The Way Out for Dummies!'
23 April 2018
By Dr. Khaled M. Batarfi
HOW hard is it for a mature leadership to understand a clear message,
especially if it comes with a bang? How about a double, triple... and more, in
a short span of time?
Only recently, the world has sent too many messages to Iran, that could easily
be included in a book titled: "The Way Out for Dummies!"
The idea here, is that some weird heads in Tehran need 101 lessons to help
them fathom the cost of intervention in the Arab world, and to provide them
with the best ways to exit.
These leaders have put their country in a self-made quagmire so deep and
sticky that it looks like they might use a good advice to get out of it. Bad
company, like Russia and North Korea, won't be able to help, so cool heads and
strong muscles are required.
The question is: Are the strong-headed, dark-aged ideologists in Tehran,
Shiraz and Qom interested? Have they realized the deviant path they are
taking; the false prophesy they believe in; the wrong vision they follow? I
have my doubts, but am prepared to give them the benefit of the doubt.
The United Nations has tried. Security Council resolutions have clearly and
strongly outlawed supporting militias and terrorist organizations. UN
investigations have repeatedly showed Iranian involvement. Warnings were sent
Tehran's way. Diplomats tried to convince Iranian leaders to cooperate. All
kinds of sanctions were leveled on the regime, since 1979.
Recently, forceful messages were sent. Iran's occupation of Syria and support
of Assad's use of chemical weapons against his own people have drawn strong
reactions from world community. The United States was first to punish the
regime and its supporters with a missile attack on April 7, 2017. Then came
this Sunday the precise bombing of chemical-making and storage facilities, in
addition to airbases and military units used in these attacks.
During Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman's tour to the US and major Arab
and European nations, similar messages were sent. The international community
is calling on Tehran to stop, retreat and rejoin the civilized world.
Condemnation of its aggression and disregard of international law and order
was loud, strong and unified.
The flawed nuclear agreement has given Iran a destructive free hand in the
region, and more cash to spend on its terrorist groups. Now, the agreement is
being re-examined, re-evaluated, thanks to Trump. Without positive response
from Tehran on major improvements, it will probably be scrapped.
If all the above was not enough, the Arab leaders raised their objections to
Iranian irresponsible behavior and their support of terrorists groups and
rogue regimes. They stood by Saudi Arabia and against the Iranian-supported
Houthis who bombard our cities with ballistic missiles, including Holy Makkah.
If all the above messages were not enough, or regarded as foreign, the mullahs
should at least listen to their own people, who revolted against them over and
over again. They called for immediate withdrawal from Arab countries, and
concentrate instead on the needs at home. A very recent poll has shown that 94
percent of Iranians refuse to join any campaign in support of Syrian leader
Bashar Assad, or in defense of Shiite holy sites. That is a clear and strong
NO to all kinds of interventions under any excuses and pretexts, from an
overwhelming majority. What more does the leadership need to understand, learn
and find its way out?
My guess is soon enough. Not because the theocratic regime became wiser, but
since the world became well aware that Iran would never stop if it wasn't
stopped. Such realization will lead to stronger, more united, less tolerant
and compromising stand. Sanctions will return to pre-agreement. They will
increase gradually, and include more entities and individuals. The Russians,
on the other hand, are getting poorer, isolated, and less able to help. The
North Koreans are turning their back on old criminal allies and moving rapidly
toward richer, more sophisticated and civilized partners. Russia, the US,
Israel, Turkey and major Arab countries are cutting off Iran's highway to the
Mediterranean, Arab Sea and Red Sea. No one, it seems, including allies, wish
to accept Iran's presence in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon or Yemen. Its economy is
being stretched thin, and cannot sustain foreign adventures and imperialistic
ambitions. Its population is revolting, as their life is becoming increasingly
difficult.
When the dictators in Tehran face the choice between losing their grip on
power, or getting out of their neighbors' affairs, they will naturally choose
to retreat hoping for another go, another day.
If they wait longer, I expect another revolution that will bring down the
regime. The new government will have to be more representative of its people,
and less aggressive towards its neighbors, who would gladly provide support
and cooperation.
I vote for the second scenario! Free Iran! To hell with the dummies!
Dr. Khaled M. Batarfi is a Saudi writer based in Jeddah. He can be reached
at kbatarfi@gmail.com. Follow him at Twitter:@kbatarfi
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