In an exclusive interview on The Washington Times’ Capitol Hill show, General James Jones, a retired U.S. Marine four-star general and former National Security Advisor to President Barack Obama, emphasized the need for a consistent and firm U.S. policy towards Iran. General Jones, who served as Obama’s National Security Advisor from 2009 to 2010, shared his insights on U.S.-Iranian relations, the role of the MEK (Mujahedin-e Khalq), and the current administration’s approach to Iran.
General Jones recounted his initial introduction to the MEK after leaving the White House in 2010. He explained that during his tenure as National Security Advisor, the MEK never came to his attention. It wasn’t until he was invited to speak at a Washington forum on U.S. policy towards Iran that he learned about the organization.
General Jones described a pivotal moment that shifted his perspective from a passive interest in the MEK to active support. In 2011, he received a distressing phone call in the middle of the night from Camp Ashraf, the MEK’s base in Iraq, which was under attack by the Iraqi Army.
“I got a call in the middle of the night from someone at Camp Ashraf. I could hear gunfire in the background. It was particularly troubling because the American Army had granted the MEK members safe conduct ID cards after disarming them in 2003,” Jones recalled. “The fact that innocent people were being shot at by Iraqi soldiers using American weapons and Humvees was outrageous.”
Updated: Exclusive: Ex-Marine general, Obama security advisor calls for U.S. be much tougher on Iran https://t.co/0PbcDVp6oS
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Jones contacted Admiral Mullen, then Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and General Jim Mattis, Commander of CENTCOM, to inform them of the situation. Despite his efforts, he felt that the U.S. response was inadequate.
Addressing the inconsistency in U.S. foreign policy, General Jones highlighted how the shifting stances from one administration to another have created confusion among allies and adversaries alike.
“Our friends, allies, and enemies are confused by American foreign policy because it can change on a dime,” Jones stated. “Where Iran is concerned, our policy has vacillated between appeasement and a harder line, but without definitive action to induce behavioral change in Iran.”
The American four-star general criticized the current administration’s approach to the Iranian regime, describing it as bordering on appeasement. He argued that the belief in Tehran’s potential shift towards moderation is mistaken.
“There has been a mistaken belief that Iran will somehow see the light and stop pursuing nuclear weapons. The evidence has proven this incorrect,” he said.
Gen. James Jones: #Tehran Leverages #Terrorism to Divert Attention from Internal Unresthttps://t.co/eDPHb2JDYv
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General Jones expressed admiration for Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), and her vision for a democratic Iran. “I’ve known Maryam Rajavi for the better part of a decade. Her Ten-Point Plan for the future of Iran is Jeffersonian in its democratic values,” Jones noted. “Anyone who supports a truly democratic regime should align with these values.”
General Jones emphasized the importance of taking the NCRI and MEK seriously, citing Iran’s relentless efforts to eradicate these groups as indicative of their significance. “Iran pays close attention to the NCRI and MEK, evidenced by their continuous attacks on Camp Ashraf and now in Albania. This should tell us something about their importance,” he stated.
General Jones called for a clear and consistent U.S. policy that does not reward destructive and dangerous behavior by the Iranian regime. He advocated for immediate and decisive action in response to Iranian aggression.
In conclusion, General Jones stressed that any change in Iran must come from within, with support from organizations like the NCRI and MEK. “The Iranian people, with the leadership of organizations like the NCRI, will eventually reassert themselves for the future of their great country,” Jones concluded. “It’s going to have to come from within, and we should not diminish our enthusiasm for this change.”