The Daily Populous Wednesday March 19th, 2025 day edition
Authored by jpost.com and submitted by FayrayzF

The subject of regime change in Iran is becoming increasingly overt among the think tanks of the United States and Israel.

The tensions between the terrorist Islamic Republic and the international community, along with the unrestrained confrontations instigated by the Khomeinists, have escalated the crisis to anticipated levels.

In Tehran, dictator Ali Khamenei stubbornly clings to his instruments of malice and provocation: nuclear weapons, Islamic terrorism, missiles, and drones. His benefactors in Russia and China have ostensibly decreed that any discussions with US President Donald Trump should pertain strictly to the nuclear agenda.

It is evident that without a shift in Tehran’s regime, peace and stability will remain elusive in the turbulent Middle East.

Global consensus is, increasingly, that the threats posed by the uncivilized and defiant Islamic Republic in Tehran need to be eradicated. US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, February 2025. (credit: Nathan Howard/Reuters)

Notably, America, acting under President Trump’s recent policy initiatives, has made efforts to dismantle one of the regime’s terrorist factions, the Houthis – a move for which gratitude is warranted.

Dauntingly, the path to regime change is clouded with security challenges and obstacles. Foremost among these is the intricate political landscape of Iran, dominated by a mafia-like regime that has precipitated internal instability. The adherents of the 1979 revolution, alongside the advocates of religious terrorism and the pernicious doctrine of Khomeinism, remain fervently committed to sustaining the regime. They are even prepared to further ignite the fires of the terrorist network within Iran, all to avoid relinquishing power.

Other notorious figures from the 1979 uprising, now entrenched within the ruling cadre – the reformist economic mafia of the government – mirror the initial revolutionaries in their resistance to regime change. Motivated by economic self-interest, they oppose the transition of Iran toward democracy.

Meanwhile, the international community has demonstrated a complete lack of insight into the intricate challenges of this convoluted journey by focusing primarily on ‘instability, regional crises, and alternative forces.’

Moreover, several toxic political factions within Iran refuse to step aside, such as the national-religious groups, the notorious terrorist cult of the Mujahedin-e Khalq (emerging from the Freedom Movement, adherents of Mosaddegh), and the government’s own reformists. Their political careers, defined by the triumph of the 1979 revolution and the elevation of Khomeini, now face the harsh reality of their detrimental legacy. Stay updated with the latest news! Subscribe to The Jerusalem Post Newsletter Subscribe Now

Despite their reluctance to acknowledge their destructive impact, they are acutely aware that Khomeinism has reached an impasse. The Iranian populace, particularly the younger generation, holds deep contempt for the events of 1979 and its proponents, viewing them as akin to traitors to the national cause.

Another formidable barrier to democratic evolution in Iran is the infamous and notorious clerical establishment, where no distinction exists between Sunnis and Shiites. It has consistently allied with the oppressive regime while neglecting to champion the populace against religious autocracy and Islamic terrorism, all for the sake of financial gain and positions of power.

Yet, it is increasingly apparent that, akin to the welcome prohibition of Nazism by the German parliament post-Hitler, the activities, dress, nomenclature, and propaganda of Iran’s clerical class will also come to face prohibition, ultimately permitting them to undertake dignified labor and contribute taxes as ordinary citizens.

Ironically, those same Islamic extremists who orchestrated the arson of 33 cinemas [on August 19, 1979, the Cinema Rex fire killed 377-470 people and set off the Islamic Revolution] and led by numerous terrorist factions now posing as democrats advocating non-violence and general amnesty.

Nevertheless, the ultimate arbiters remain the Iranian people, particularly the youth.

The path toward democracy in Iran, following 46 years of religious despotism and a populace unacquainted with the fundamentals of a democratic ethos, is expected to be protracted. On the one hand, there is religious superstition; on the other, a society infuriated, oppressed, and deeply scarred. These factors will undoubtedly complicate this transitional period.

A segment of the Iranian populace desperately seeks political reform from manipulation by decrepit political entities, who have cast their nation in the role of world antagonists and brought it widespread economic distress (high inflation, unemployment, poverty, corruption, and sanctions). An image of Reza Pahlavi is seen while people protest against the Iranian regime, following the death of Mahsa Amini, outside Iran's embassy in central London, Britain, two years ago. (credit: HENRY NICHOLLS/REUTERS)

Nevertheless, further impediments exist in this fractious setting, rife with conflict and discord, such as separatists who blatantly disregard national interests and the territorial integrity of Iran.

A paralyzed, delusional, and pretentious opposition lacks any coherent strategy to dismantle the regime. Instead, it resorts to internecine squabbles like sadists freed from confinement, acting as paper heroes for the cameras. Many remain entangled in unresolved disputes tracing back to the era of the late shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

Concurrently, deceitful figures within the media-driven opposition would, disturbingly, permit the mullahs to retain power for another four decades, paving the way for a leader even more tyrannical and unhinged than Khamenei, with any mention of the Pahlavi name considered anathema.

The so-called “Islamic Republic 2” and its international media syndicate remain active, prompting international commendation for Trump’s cessation of their primary platforms, Voice of America and Radio Farda. Notwithstanding, persistent media agitators continue to taint public opinion, thwarting a shift toward regime change.

Despite these formidable obstacles, the path to reform, fueled by the resolute will of Iran’s enlightened citizenry, remains attainable, albeit challenging. Ultimately, any form of democracy that emerges will undoubtedly surpass the brutal religious despotism that has long marred Iran, offering a beacon of hope and dignity to its people.

Indeed, as a nationwide uprising commences against the despised rule of the mullahs and the very foundations of the government begin to tremble, it is imperative that a resolute leader take the reins of society to navigate through this transition without devolving into violence and methodically pave the way toward democratic elections and the will of the people.

Fortunately, the hope of the Iranian people endures, embodied in the legacy of the monarchy and the son of the late patriot shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

The leadership role of HRH crown prince Reza Pahlavi is incontestable. Armed with a profound understanding of Iran’s traditional yet stagnant political landscape, he represents the potential for a transformative catalyst that embodies the desires for change harbored by the Iranian populace.

It is anticipated that Iranian society will soon make a pivotal decision.

As it stands, the Islamic Republic approaches the twilight of its ignominious existence. This momentous period in history heralds the demise of religious despotism in Tehran, the disintegration of the regime of the corrupt, terrorist mullahs, and marks the beginning of Iran’s journey toward renewal.

The writer is a counterterrorism analyst and Middle East studies researcher based in Washington, with a particular focus on Iran and ethnic conflicts in the region. His latest book, The Black Shabbat, was published in the US. You can follow him at erfanfard.com and on X @EQFARD.

Snl1738 on March 19th, 2025 at 10:01 UTC »

The Islamic Republic has been "on the brink" of changing since 2009.

Look, the Ayatollah and the current regime are embedded into Iranian society. Despite the amount of blunders, they are not going anywhere anytime soon.

OwlMan_001 on March 19th, 2025 at 08:00 UTC »

While I hope to be wrong about it, I don't think there's any meaningful threat to the regime.

Externally, their foregin policy may have largely collapsed but they don't face invasion anyway. Short of that economic pressure has a somewhat poor record forcing the hands of dictatorships (especially if the regime can loosen that pressure by leveraging the nuclear threat). Internally, Iran has a volatile society but the government is stable - we'll see waves of protest that may lead to very mild concessions, largely in the form of relaxed enforcement of minor religious restrictions (e.g. hijabs, alcohol etc.) followed by effective and brutal suppression. Any dissident movement will have its leadership and large swathes of its members murdered long before they pose a potential alternative.

TaxLawKingGA on March 19th, 2025 at 07:23 UTC »

If the ayatollah’s fall (and hopefully they do) i an afraid that it will not lead to some democratically elected government. My guess is that the IRGC will effectively takeover the country. In some ways that is still better than what they currently have, but it won’t mean that there won’t be conflicts.