Two-minute read
The Middle East is enduring a tumultuous period, with the clerical regime in Iran, widely recognized by leaders and strategists globally, at the center of the crisis. This perilous situation stems from a dual failure: neglecting the rise of Islamic fundamentalism and the complicity of Western nations in appeasing Tehran’s violent theocratic regime.
Despite the long-standing warnings of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) about the global threat posed by Islamic fundamentalism, Western powers have sought rapprochement with Iran’s mullahs, attacking those who posed the greatest threat to them. They disarmed Iranian Resistance forces in Iraq in 2003, froze their assets, banned their affiliated organizations, and fueled a campaign of misinformation against this Resistance movement.
Now, the fallout from these policies is affecting not only the people of the region but also increasingly destabilizing the economic and social conditions for the Western citizens themselves.
Today, while many countries are pondering how to find a solution for the current crisis, they fail to recognize the underlying weaknesses and the reasons why Tehran refuses to get along with the rest of the world.
Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Iranian regime, faces two significant dilemmas amid ongoing domestic and international challenges. Firstly, any compromise from Khamenei could be perceived as a sign of weakness, potentially undermining his authority both inside the regime and among his proxy forces.
Secondly, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a crucial pillar of Khamenei’s regime, is increasingly vulnerable due to deep-seated economic corruption and extensive security breaches. The IRGC’s compromised state undermines its capacity to support the regime effectively. Consequently, a display of weakness from Khamenei could exacerbate internal unrest and invigorate a society that is keenly looking for opportunities to overthrow his leadership.
Yet, the most overlooked phenomenon by global powers is the existence of “Resistance Units.” This network of activists affiliated with the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) is scattered across Iran’s cities, villages, and towns. They operate in various professional, specialized, age, and social strata, engaging in organized revolutionary activities.
Despite the Iranian regime's wave of executions and repressive measures, PMOI Resistance Units are expanding their activities across every city and corner of Iran.#Iran #PMOI pic.twitter.com/CLvnfG8HyV
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) May 19, 2024
Since 2016, this network has grown and proliferated. It has become one of the key drivers of anti-regime protests since the 2017 uprising, and it is the element that frightens Khamenei’s regime the most. Despite thousands of Resistance Unit members being arrested and tortured, their activities have not only persisted but have exponentially increased. At the 2024 Free Iran Summit, the Iranian Resistance showcased 20,000 protest and support actions by these units at a time when the world is contemplating how to deal with Tehran.
This network is capable of commanding nationwide popular uprisings, mobilizing massive waves of people against the IRGC and the regime’s security forces. The world need not inflict further harm on the people of the region and Iran to combat a threat it helped nurture. What is required is a recognition of past mistakes, a declaration of the Iranian regime’s illegitimacy, acknowledgment of the organized resistance against it, and the comprehensive blacklisting of the IRGC.
The stakes are high, and the choices made now will determine whether the Middle East continues to spiral into chaos or finally moves towards a semblance of stability and peace. The path forward lies not in appeasement but in steadfast support for those who resist tyranny and seek freedom for their nation and peace around the world.