{"id":344169,"date":"2026-04-08T17:08:09","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T16:08:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/?p=344169"},"modified":"2026-04-08T17:08:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T16:08:09","slug":"the-duel-of-desperation-how-irans-clerical-regime-and-monarchists-both-squandered-the-2026-crisis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/news\/terrorism-a-fundamentalism\/the-duel-of-desperation-how-irans-clerical-regime-and-monarchists-both-squandered-the-2026-crisis\/","title":{"rendered":"The Duel of Desperation: How Iran’s Clerical Regime and Monarchists Both Squandered the 2026 Crisis"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Three-minute read<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The 2026 Iran war, which erupted on 28 February and ended in the fragile Islamabad Accords<\/span><\/span> of early April, laid bare a stark reality: Iran\u2019s two most visible contenders for power are united not by vision, but by their willingness to sacrifice the country itself to secure rule.<\/p>\n

On one side, the clerical establishment demonstrated\u2014yet again\u2014that its only guiding principle is survival at any cost. On the other, Reza Pahlavi<\/span><\/span><\/a> and his monarchist camp showed that their path to power rests not on Iranian society, but on foreign military force\u2014even at the cost of the country\u2019s total destruction, including its infrastructure and its people.<\/p>\n

Neither represents a viable future. Both are prepared to see Iran burn to rule over its ashes.<\/p>\n

\n

Welcoming the ceasefire and expressing hope that it will lead to the end of the war and pave the way for peace and freedom.https:\/\/t.co\/XXyjgE2TdR<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/rBsOih4c9u<\/a><\/p>\n

— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) April 8, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n