Despite elections, Iran will remain the same – opinion – The Jerusalem Post
Elections in Iran are slated for March 1.
Candidates will vie for 285 of the 290 seats that comprise the Islamic Consultative Assembly. The other five seats are reserved for Zoroastrians, Jews, Assyrian and Chaldean Christians, and Armenians, the minority groups within Iran.
The Assembly of Experts will be holding elections as well. It is the 88-member august body that chooses Irans Supreme Leader.
The results of this election will be like the results of all other elections held in Iran. A new regime, not even a democratically elected liberal regime, will turn Iran into a different country. It will not turn Iran into a Western democracy. It will not transform the Iran of today into a country that embraces the great culture of ancient Persia.
Iran after March 1st will, instead, look a lot like Iran before March 1st.
In Iran, there is a very strict set of requirements for candidates intending to stand for election. Anyone who does not fit the mold is simply not permitted to run. Hassan Rouhani, for example, who was president of Iran from 2013 to 2021, has been disqualified from running for office again. The reason is not because of term limits, but because he and his supporters are simply seen as too liberal. While he is appealing the decision, there is no chance that he will win the appeal.
He knows it. We know it. This is, after all, Iran.
When he first ran and he ran successfully it was as a reform candidate. He was touted by the Western world as the reformer who was going to change Iran. But that never happened.
This time around, even if a reform candidate were to win the election, we will all be more modest in our aspirations about reform in Iran. History has shown that the newly elected president will have no strength to implement either pro-western or Western-friendly policies.
This time around, we have learned our lesson from Rouhanis experience.
When Rouhani last ran for office as president of Iran, Westerners were duped into believing that this new liberal Iranian leader would bring Iran into a new era. We believed, or wanted to believe, that he would lead Iran towards a more Western-leaning mindset. Western analysts and Western leaders fell in love with Rouhani. They loved his ideas and were swayed by his rhetoric. And Rouhanis intentions were good; he, too, believed his rhetoric. But that type of reform cannot happen in Iran.
The president of Iran is neither the supreme lawmaker nor the senior decision-maker in Iran.
Iran is entrenched in its long-held, Ayatollah-dictated policies. Its foreign policy approach, which is anti-West, anti-United States, and anti-Israel, will continue as such, unchanged and immovable.
This time, please, do not be swayed by the ridiculous sophistry woven together by amateur Western analysts, some even in Washington, who may continue to hold on to the dream of a reformed and liberal Iran.
Iran will not change. More importantly for us, Irans foreign policy does not change.
A SIGNIFICANT SLICE of Irans raison dtre is to attack and destroy Israel and the West. Regardless of the upcoming election results, Iran will continue to attack Israel and the West. It will continue to use its proxies, like the Houthis, Hezbollah, and Hamas, to do the dirty work.
Iran will take great pride in making the Middle East more volatile, more dangerous, and more combustible.
It will continue in its effort, however unsuccessful, to unite Muslims around the world against Israel and the West. Iran yearns to be the central leader of the Muslim world, and Iran is convinced that Israel is a vehicle a tool, a symbol of hate that can unite the Muslim masses.
But Iran is at a significant disadvantage in this task. While Iranians are Muslims, they are Persian, not Arab. As such, they would never naturally become the leaders of the Muslim and Arab world. So, they are hoping to unite and galvanize Muslims in their hatred of Jews and Israel.
The other element working against Iran in its hope of becoming the leader of the Muslim world is that they are Shiites in a sea of Sunni Muslims.
Yet, they refuse to give up their dream of Arab and Muslim world leadership.
The links that Iran has fostered with Russia and China will continue unchanged, even under a new presidency. This alliance is significant not just because it empowers Iran to continue to bust US sanctions but also because, together, they create a nexus that holds the belief that the United States should not dictate and direct world affairs.
So, yes, elections are coming up in Iran. But it does not matter who sits in the political seats of power in Iran. Iran is not about to change.
The writer is a social and political commentator. Watch his TV show Thinking Out Loud on JBS. Read his latest book THUGS.
Visit link:
Despite elections, Iran will remain the same - opinion - The Jerusalem Post
- Iran throws its support behind Assad as rebels expand their shock offensive in Syria - NBC News - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Iran says insecurity in Syria will spread beyond borders - - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Iran to begin enriching uranium with thousands of advanced centrifuges, UN watchdog says - The Associated Press - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Rebels in Syria take advantage of Israels successes against a weakened Iran axis - The Times of Israel - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Avoiding the next front: Iraqs fight to stay out of the Israel-Iran conflict - European Council on Foreign Relations - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- How to Avoid a Nuclear Crisis with Iran - Stimson Center - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Iran, Europeans test diplomacy with Trump term looming - Reuters - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Iran says it will keep military advisers in Syria amid rebel advances - The Times of Israel - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Trumps chance for a major breakthrough in Iran-West relations - Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Hezbollah killed his son. Now hes suing Iran for him and 46 other American victims - The Times of Israel - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- With Trump Returning and Hezbollah Weakened, Iran Strikes a Conciliatory Tone - The New York Times - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Iran and Europe seek to break nuclear impasse before return of Trump - The Guardian - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Saudi Arabia Strengthens Ties With Both US and Iran Before Trump - Bloomberg - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- British Fan of Homeland Series Is Convicted of Spying for Iran - The New York Times - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Iran looks to invest $6B in Afghanistan as route to China: What to know - Al-Monitor - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Daniel Khalife was a British soldier who spied for Iran and wanted to be a double agent - BBC.com - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Iran-EAEU FTA to be implemented in early 2025 - Tehran Times - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Amid lull in tit-for -tat missile exchange, Iran and Israel seek to control the online narrative - The Conversation - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Rage Against the Regime: Iran review these stories of resistance are utterly astonishing - The Guardian - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Iran hints at weaponization ahead of nuclear talks with Europe | Iran International - - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- What Iran and Hezbollah lost in war with Israel - - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Israel and Iran Seemed on the Brink of a Bigger War. Whats Holding Them Back? - The New York Times - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Iran's Air1Air reprimanded over flight suspension - ch-aviation - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Pop icon Googoosh is a voice for women in Iran - DW (English) - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Israel kills wanted Hezbollah commander behind the establishment of Iraqs Iran-backed militias - Long War Journal - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Iran Braces for Trump Reset With Economy Buckling From Sanctions - Bloomberg - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Iran to hold nuclear talks with Britain, France, Germany on Nov. 29 - Kyodo News Plus - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Iran says it immediately activated new, advanced centrifuges after IAEA censure - The Times of Israel - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Iran preparing to respond to Israel's Oct. 26 attack - Khamenei's aide - - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- United Nations nuclear agency again condemns Iran for failing to fully cooperate - NPR - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Iran is preparing to respond to Israel adviser to Supreme Leader Khamenei - The Times of Israel - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Iran says it is activating new centrifuges after being condemned by UN nuclear watchdog - CNN - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Iran to "substantially increase" uranium enrichment capacity over IAEA rebuke led by U.S. and allies - CBS News - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Iran defies international pressure, increasing its stockpile of near weapons-grade uranium, UN says - The Associated Press - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Iran offers to cap sensitive uranium stock as IAEA resolution looms - Reuters - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Iran has ambitions in Western Sahara. Trump can contain them by bolstering ties with Morocco. - Atlantic Council - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Israeli rabbi kidnapped in UAE, sparking fears of Iran's involvement - - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Iran's President calls on Pope Francis to use influence to stop war in Middle East - Reuters - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- American-Israeli families sue Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah in federal court - Middle East Eye - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Norwegian guard at US Embassy in Oslo arrested over allegations of spying for Russia and Iran - CNN - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Iran categorically rejects allegations of involvement in murder of Abu Dhabi rabbi - The Times of Israel - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Iran: EU widens restrictive measures in view of Iran support of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and lists one individual and four... - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Student Charged With Spying on US Embassy for Russia, Iran - Newsweek - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Russia sends Yemeni mercenaries to fight in Ukraine after they were tricked into signing up for war by Iran-backed Houthis: report - New York Post - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Did We Do Enough? Airmen Heed Lessons from Their Air Victory over Iran - Air & Space Forces Magazine - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Guard at U.S. Embassy in Norway Accused of Spying for Russia and Iran - The New York Times - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Is Iran's Khamenei signaling readiness for new deal as Trump threat looms large? - Al-Monitor - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Iran signals willingness to halt stockpile expansion, Grossi says - World Nuclear News - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Iran set to launch advanced centrifuges after IAEA censure for noncooperation - The Times of Israel - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- The winds of change are blowing in Iran - The Spectator - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Iran says German-Iranian died before execution was reported - BBC.com - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Iran is now dangerously vulnerable to the consequences of another attack on Israel - Business Insider - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Federal agencies say Russia and Iran are ramping up influence campaigns targeting US voters - The Associated Press - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Three sentenced to death in Iran over killing of top nuclear scientist - Al Jazeera English - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Russia launches Soyuz rocket with dozens of satellites, including two from Iran - Reuters - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Full-scale war in Middle East involving Israel and Iran likely, say most Europeans in poll - The Guardian - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Iran executes a Jewish citizen convicted of murder following a dispute over money - ABC News - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- US says Iranian-American held in Iran as tensions high following Israeli attack on country - The Associated Press - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- An Iranian-American journalist is believed to be held by Iran as tensions remain high after an Israeli attack, US says - ABC News - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Iran Issues Fresh Threats Against Israel, U.S. - Foundation for Defense of Democracies - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Iran arrests female university student who stripped to her underwear in protest over dress code enforcement - CBS News - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Oil prices settle up slightly on Iran worries, but prices down for week - Reuters - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Two members of Iran's Revolutionary Guards killed in helicopter crash - FRANCE 24 English - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Iran wants to hold region hostage with retaliation op - analysis - The Jerusalem Post - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Iran slams destabilizing presence as US sends B-52 bombers to region - The Times of Israel - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Woman strips off clothes at Iran university in apparent protest, reports say - Reuters - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Iran says two French detainees held in good conditions - Reuters - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Reformist clerics imply Iran should back two-state solution for Israel and Palestine - The Guardian - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Iran to use bigger warheads in attack on Israel - JNS.org - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Will Iran Withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty? - War On The Rocks - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- From Iran to Turkey, how the Middle East is bracing for US elections - Al-Monitor - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Iran Rejects Nuclear Weapons but Will 'Defend Itself by All Means' - Newsweek - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Iran vows strong and complex attack against Israel in retaliation for strikes - New York Post - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- US said to warn Iran it wont be able to restrain Israel if Tehran attacks again - The Times of Israel - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- The Houthis couldn't have built their most dangerous weapons without help from Iran and others, UN experts find - Business Insider - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Iran detains woman who stripped to her underwear at university in apparent protest - ABC News - November 4th, 2024 [November 4th, 2024]
- Iran executes Jewish Iranian man after settlement aimed at saving him was rejected - The Times of Israel - November 4th, 2024 [November 4th, 2024]
- Israel says it conducted a ground raid in Syria and seized a Syrian citizen connected to Iran - PBS NewsHour - November 4th, 2024 [November 4th, 2024]
- Iran said planning to use more powerful weapons in next attack on Israel - The Times of Israel - November 4th, 2024 [November 4th, 2024]
- The Longer Iran Waits to Attack Israel, the More Risks It Takes - Haaretz - November 4th, 2024 [November 4th, 2024]