Human rights activist Heshmat Alavi wrote a piece for Al Arabiya in which he explained that the new policy on Iran, which is apparently nearing completion, does not focus on one issue (i.e. the nuclear deal) but encapsulates all the threats that Iran poses including its support for terrorist groups like Hezbollah, ballistic missiles programme, human rights abuses, and meddling in other Middle Eastern states.

Alavi wrote: “The new US policy on Iran, once announced, should be a rallying call for a novel resolve to stand against Iran’s slate of bellicosity, and pinpoint all energies on relieving the globe of this sinister evil for good.”

It may also include support for regime change in Iran, as hinted at by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, earlier this year, re-imposing sanctions lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal, and heavy restrictions on military activities carried out by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).

State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said: “Waiving some of those sanctions should not be seen as an indication of President Trump or his administration’s position on the [nuclear deal] nor does the waiver give the Iranian regime a pass on its broad range of malign behaviour.”

Indeed, more sanctions were already passed last week by the Treasury Department over Iran’s ballistic missile program, cyber attacks and support for terrorism.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said: “The Treasury will continue to take strong actions to counter Iran’s provocations, including support for the IRGC-Qods Force and terrorist extremists, the ongoing campaign of violence in Syria, and cyber attacks meant to destabilize the US financial system.”

This new policy will send “shivers” through the Iranian Regime according to Alavi.

He wrote: “The mere thought of the Trump administration weighing a global sanctions embargo will cause shivers amongst Tehran’s elite. While there are voices expressing concerns over the possibility of Iran resorting to an upsurge in violence in response to such a policy, the question is what has been Iran’s dogma in the past four decades? Has Tehran been a beacon of peace and stability in Iraq, Syria, Yemen or across the Middle East for that matter? In fact, the Iranian regime will only cave in under pressure and a determined will witnessed from the international community. One such example was how Iran immediately released the 52 American hostages after learning Ronald Reagan was elected to the US presidency back in 1980, knowing his policies would far contrast those of Jimmy Carter.”

He continued: “To this end, adopting a firm policy on Iran will actually prevent war. This comes after decades of appeasement has encouraged Iran into further warmongering. As Trump correctly called, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the entire Arab world must patch up their differences and loopholes. Otherwise, Tehran will most certainly take advantage of any such gaps, as seen currently in the Qatar standoff.”

On Wednesday, a large protest will be held over the invitation of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to the UN’s General Assembly in New York.