The world must support the Iranian opposition abroad

The world must actively support Iran's opposition abroad, drawing a stark parallel between the current Iranian regime and the handling of Saddam Hussein, whose consolidation of power after the liberation of Kuwait led to immense suffering. The article contends that political and economic interests of certain nations played a significant role in past failures and risks repeating that mistake with Iran.

The Iranian regime is accused of consolidating power not only through aggression towards its neighbors and threats to international peace but also by brutally suppressing widespread and internationally recognized peaceful opposition movements. This suppression extends beyond the People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) to include Kurdish, Baloch, and Arab opposition groups, all of whom have distinct ethnic identities and historical grievances.

For decades, these ethnic groups have been demanding their right to self-determination. The article details historical occupations and ongoing struggles for liberation, citing the cases of Arabs in Ahwaz, Balochistan, and the Kurds. It asserts that approximately 50 percent of Iran's non-Persian ethnic groups seek independence or autonomy, and it is unjust to leave them under a regime that derives legitimacy from historical narratives to suppress demands for dignity and freedom.

The author emphasizes that Iranian opposition groups, both domestically and internationally, have gained substantial political influence and a strong global reputation. These groups possess the capacity to challenge the current regime and steer Iran toward becoming a normal state, capable of peaceful coexistence with its neighbors and the international community. This transformation, the article suggests, would spare the global economy from the disruptive shocks caused by the current Iranian leadership.

Ultimately, the article calls for the world to heed the voices of the Baloch, Kurds, Arabs, Azeris, Lurs, and other ethnic groups yearning for liberation from the current regime and freedom from Persian hegemony. These groups possess unique cultural, social, political, and economic heritages, distinct from Persian culture, which the article claims clings to historical narratives and aspirations of imperial revival.