Iran is also seeking to increase its influence in other areas using covert and under-the-radar methods. One such place is Africa where it is spending billions and billions of dollars.
One of its tried-and-tested methods is to get into medical and social systems where it provides “free” services under the guise of aid. It also sets up Islamic schools to gain influence in communities. It goes like this for an indefinite amount of time and, before long, the Iranian regime has quite a hold.
Last year, the Foreign Minister of Iran travelled to Uganda where he opened a clinic that his country financed. The Organization of Islamic Culture and Communications in Iran has been responsible for building a number of religious centres where it can target small minority Muslim communities. The regime will train local clerics which in turn will further influence communities.
In especially poor areas, the provision of free social and health care, as well as education, will turn many people to the regime’s favour.
Foreign governments have also accepted bribes from Iran, letting the regime spread its ideology and set places up for terrorist activities.
Like in countries in the Middle East, Iran is thus able to use foreign lands to get around sanctions and to transport and manufacture arms without being detected.
Before Iran infiltrates and spreads chaos across another continent, it is essential for the international community to urgently intervene.
Africa has millions of Muslims, and the Iranian regime is determined to reach and influence them. It is not a sign of strength, rather it is another indication of the regime’s desperation. The regime is losing influence in the Middle East and it is trying to make up for it elsewhere.
The location of some African countries is strategically interesting to Iran for the transfer and transport of weapons. Djibouti, for example, gave Iran access to its ports in exchange for huge sums of money that went towards the country’s trade industry and parliament buildings. Iran used Djibouti to provide arms for its important proxy Hezbollah. However, this all came to an end when the Saudi ally persuaded Djibouti to cut ties with Iran and prevent its access to strategic locations.
Bypassing sanctions is also important to Iran, especially in terms of money laundering which has previously been facilitated by Ghana. Political support also comes in exchange for services and financial aid, something that is crucial when Iran is looking for votes with regards to the United Nations.
Iran’s model of expansion is having success in the Middle East and now is the time to act to stop it spreading even further. The Iranian regime is losing its grip on power at home where domestic unrest and discontent is high. It is the source of all conflict in the Middle East. Let’s not be responsible for it happening in another continent.
