More than 50 days have elapsed since the commencement of the devastating war in Gaza, leaving a trail of destruction with over 16,000 casualties, 35,000 injuries, and 6,000 missing. The dire situation has forced over two million people to flee their homes. Amidst this chaos, leaders of Iran’s regime are becoming increasingly explicit about their true intentions, openly discussing their aggressive stance in Gaza and revealing a disturbing goal: to quash any potential uprising or threat of regime overthrow.
In a revealing speech, Javad Enayat, the governor of the regime in South Khorasan, highlighted the correlation between internal turmoil in Islamic Iran and the relative calm in regions like Yemen, Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria—the frontline nations of resistance. He suggested that the Islamic Republic of Iran, as the imperial power in the Islamic world, deliberately foments conflicts externally to divert attention from internal issues. According to Enayat, stability, security, peace, and unity within Iran signal the opposite abroad, allowing the regime’s proxy forces to engage with the United States and its allies.
Mohammad Taghi Asanlu, a commander of the Revolutionary Guards, echoed these sentiments, candidly acknowledging that the regime strategically fans the flames of war through its proxies across the region. He proudly stated, ‘Today, our defenders are fighting two thousand kilometers away,’ referring to the involvement of Iranian-supported fighters in Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine.
Esmail Khatib, the regime’s intelligence minister, publicly outlined the policy of warmongering as a deliberate strategy to suppress potential uprisings. Speaking at a conference of information protection heads within the regime’s police force, Khatib described the regime’s goal of instigating conflict in Gaza as a means of sacrificing thousands of Palestinians to prevent an uprising. He referred to this strategy as a ‘combined war’ and emphasized the importance of the country’s popular, security, intelligence, military, and law enforcement powers working together in a global war designed against Iran.
Expanding on the regime’s regional and international objectives, Khatib stated, ‘Today, the Islamic Republic of Iran is considered a great power in the region.’ He asserted that Iran’s influence extends beyond the region, making it a determining force worldwide. Khatib proudly proclaimed that the world now recognizes Iran’s authority in all its might.
In a television interview, Hamidreza Haji Babaei, a member of the regime’s parliament, explicitly linked the ongoing conflict in Gaza to the regime’s desire to shield itself from potential uprisings within Iran. He chillingly remarked, ‘The same thing that happens in Gaza was supposed to happen in Iran. The same infanticide and the same genocide was supposed to happen inside our provinces.’
Major General Mostafa Izadi, Commander of the Cyber Base and New Threats at the Khatam-al-Anbiya Central Headquarters of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, celebrated what he perceived as a symbol of Shia-Sunni unity in Gaza. He highlighted Iran’s support for various groups, including Sunnis in Gaza, Yemenis, Hezbollah, and committed Iraqi forces, envisioning the creation of a world government of Islam.
Brigadier General Ahmad Zolqadr, commander of the Seyyed al-Shohada Corps of Tehran Province in the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, emphasized Iran’s role in exporting its revolution through war. He pointed to the global presence of Hezbollah cells, attributing their spread to Iran’s active involvement in advancing knowledge and technology. Zolqadr proudly cited the influence of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, the slain chief of Iran’s nuclear program, in Gaza as an example.
Gholam Ali Haddad Adel, a senior adviser to Khamenei and member of the Expediency Council, argued that Western-aligned puppet governments in the Islamic and Arab world, adhering to American plans, have failed. He credited the success of a reality inspired by the Islamic revolution and Basij thinking, countering the inaction and betrayal of some Arab governments. Adel highlighted this success, particularly evident in the failure of the normalization of relations with Israel.
Mohammad Javad Abtahi shed light on the regime’s strategy in the West Bank, clarifying that Khamenei’s call to arm the region was misunderstood by the enemy. Abtahi dispelled the notion that the Islamic Republic was disappointed with Gaza, expressing hope that Islamic Jihad could extend the struggle to the West Bank. He revealed that many in Iran were initially puzzled by the focus on Islamic Jihad in Gaza, unaware that a significant surprise was being prepared by Hamas.
In summary, the leaders of Iran’s regime, through their explicit statements and strategic maneuverings, reveal a sinister agenda. The ongoing war in Gaza is not just a regional conflict but a calculated move to suppress internal dissent, project power globally, and shield the regime from potential uprisings. The international community must closely monitor these developments and address the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza, while considering the broader implications of Iran’s actions.
