Relying on people ...
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Evidence shows the involvement of external actors, particularly groups affiliated with Israel and the United States, in fueling the unrest. What is your analysis of this matter?
These adversarial countries have been working through television channels to stir up riots in Iran’s streets, attempting to orchestrate casualties, cause bloodshed, increase resentment and reproduce violence. Information emerged that on Thursday, January 8, these groups, organized and armed, moved into several cities with the intent to create casualties. Law enforcement and the Basij forces were instructed not to carry weapons and were prohibited from firing. The highest number of casualties occurred that Thursday evening. Finally, when the country was on the brink of a full-blown urban war, security, military, law enforcement, and Basij forces prepared to counter the threat. However, the situation was ultimately contained because the unrest was not homegrown and was directed from abroad.
The United States, whose outpost in the region is, in effect, the Israeli regime, launched an attack on Iran in June. They realized that continuing the conflict would leave nothing of Israel remaining. They concluded that a direct air war with Iran would not achieve their goal – to overthrow the government and disintegrate the country. It should be noted that they consider ousting the government a crucial step toward partitioning the nation. US President Donald Trump has clearly concluded that unless a ground war and an urban war are launched in Iran, and the people are brought into confrontation with the government, he will not succeed. Accordingly, in my opinion, Trump will double down on economic pressure.
What lessons can be learned from this experience to prevent similar incidents in the future?
In an economic war, temporary rise in prices due to foreign obstruction is natural and the government must honestly tell the people. The Iranian people are enlightened; they have a good understanding of history and are politically astute. The government must be very transparent with the people, both about its capabilities and its obstacles. The Iranian people are willing to accept economic hardships for the sake of independence, freedom, and a positive future, provided the government is completely transparent and honest with them.
Furthermore, in both the June war and the recent unrest, the people were the ultimate game-changers and the key to victory. Obstacles to the people’s presence and participation must be quickly removed. Reliance must be placed on the people as the source of political power. It is the most important historical duty of all pillars of the state and the people to preserve this Iran, especially in a situation where powerful nations seeking to swallow the world are trying to break it up.
The easiest, most cost-effective, most beneficial, and most productive way to preserve Iran is to respect Iranians and all those with Iranian credentials. Respect, ensuring rights, defending security, providing the best welfare, and honesty and transparency with the people are crucial.
What actions can be taken to promote national unity, reduce divisions and foster empathy in society?
In the past protests, some officials’ focus on the issue of the hijab law after the unrest was not well-calculated. However, after the 12-day war in June, when the people forgot the divisions and became united, the Islamic Republic demonstrated that it had heard the protests, felt the pain and was pursuing a remedy. It has sought to get to the root of the problem. In my opinion, this approach, compared to the response to the hijab issue after those previous unrests, is more mature and honest.
The Iranian government must constantly seek feedback on its actions and decisions and pursue a corrective process. Fortunately, most of the people have come to the conclusion that the Israeli regime, which has killed 20,000 children in recent months, and the Americans, who have imposed the most wars in history on the world, want to destroy Iran and do not bring prosperity, freedom, independence, or dignity to the country. Fortunately, after many years of experience, the government has made significant progress in this regard.