In the early years of the mullahs’ rule in Iran, the regime’s brutality came under scrutiny. This assessment revealed that its foundation lay in the suffocation and suppression of opposition, as well as the export of terrorism and warmongering, encapsulated in the deceptive slogan ‘the Export of the Revolution!’
Regime founder Ruhollah Khomeini’s initial ambition to spread his so-called revolution beyond Iran’s borders first targeted neighboring Iraq, which had a Shia majority. He showcased his vision of exporting the revolution to the world by launching a war against Iraq.
This war featured tactics like sending students in human waves to clear minefields, contriving fake imams riding white horses on the battlefronts, and showering cities with rockets. It left a trail of destroyed homes, grieving mothers, and grim war processions – ‘War until Victory’ was emblematic of Khomeini‘s ‘Export of the Revolution.’
To justify this devastating war, Khomeini used the slogan ‘Conquest of Quds through Karbala,’ seeing expansion through warmongering in neighboring Muslim countries as the key to his regime’s survival. Even when he eventually accepted the United Nations Security Council Resolution 598 for a ceasefire with Iraq, he didn’t abandon his plotting, as he believed that his regime’s existence depended on creating continuous crises. If the pretext of Karbala was taken from him, he turned to Quds and then ‘Zaynabieh.’
His successor, Ali Khamenei, faces an increasingly restless society. To counter the threat of overthrow, he continues the tradition of creating regional crises outside Iran’s borders.
An article in Al-Arab Newspaper on September 23, 2023, titled ‘Iran’s Road to Jerusalem from Karbala to Gaza,’ highlighted that the main aim of religious fascism is to incite clamors such as ‘conquest of Karbala,’ ‘conquest of Jerusalem,’ and ‘conquering Jerusalem.’ It posits that ‘Gaza’ is nothing more than an expansionist warmongering pretext for the regime. The article states, “Although the Iranian regime invokes Islamic slogans, it has insulted Islam and Muslims like none other.”
Al-Arab adds: “In less than 30 years, it has done more harm to the Arab world than Israel has managed in over 70 years of overt and covert hostility. Iran’s regime poses a broader, multifaceted threat to Arab national security than Israel with its visible hostility. While Israel occupied Beirut in 1982, the Iranian regime, through its agents, has directly or indirectly influenced the three Arab capitals of Damascus, Baghdad, and Sana’a, in addition to Beirut.”
The regime’s intentions for the Muslim people of the region have consistently led to darkness, bloodshed, and perpetual fundamentalism. The current incitement of conflict between Israel and Gaza is a continuation of this war-making strategy. The regime’s need for warmongering and exporting crises beyond Iran’s borders has never been more pronounced as it senses its impending demise. Palestine and Gaza are mere excuses; historically, this regime has shown no genuine concern for the Palestinian cause or people, even failing to offer refuge or shelter to a single Palestinian.
If it truly cared for the Palestinians, it would not have obstructed their right to self-determination. The regime’s interest lies in ensuring that Gaza, Yemen, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and other regional countries remain in perpetual turmoil.
Promoting sectarian strife, highlighting religious and ethnic divisions, and treating societies as pawns in a broader expansionist agenda are the hallmarks of the mullahs who govern Iran. Their focus has shifted from expansionism to self-preservation in the face of mounting resistance from the Iranian people.
‘Karbala, Jerusalem, and Zainabiyeh’ are just pretexts for their warmongering. Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and Gaza serve as the latest excuses for their belligerence. Instead of falling for the mullahs’ deception, the world and the region should recognize their hostile intentions and warmongering ambitions and support the Iranian people’s right to end this regime by any means necessary.
