Iran’s Two-Face Policy Unveiled in Saudi Row

By: Amir Basiri

Executions must always be protested and strongly condemned. However, issues become vague when certain governments begin provoking a forceful approach targeting others, while crying foul and daring to justify their measures. The two-face policy practiced by Iran for years have now unveiled in the violent attacks erupted following the execution of a controversial Shiite figure in Saudi Arabia.

In this scene we see a regime with the temerity of launching so-called protests against another country, while its own atrocious human rights report card is nothing to boast about. Executions, crackdown and poverty are all hallmarks of the regime in Tehran. Shiite Militias inspired by Iran are also spreading terrorism and Islamic fundamentalism in Iraq and Syria, allowing the rise of ISIS; needless to mention Iran is backing Levant dictator Bashar Assad with the support of Russia. All in all, Iran actually claiming to be wronged unveils its devious two-face policy.

The international community has rightly condemned the execution of 47 individuals in Saudi Arabia and the illegitimate storming of the Saudi embassy and consulate in Iran. The ayatollahs in Tehran have felt the heat and are now expressing regret. In sham court hearings Iran resorts to bogus charges such as “corruption on Earth” and “moharabe” (enmity against God) in its crackdown of political prisoners, and religions and ethnic minorities, according to Amnesty International. Capital punishment is the response to these “crimes”, as described by Iran, regularly targeting Sunnis, Baha’is, Kurds, Christians, other minorities and even youths. While the regime in Iran sent 743 to the gallows in 2014 (according to official reports), Amnesty International calculated up to 448 executions by July 15, 2015 alone. So much for the smiling “moderate” Hassan Rouhani.

Iran’s crimes have not been curbed to its own boundaries. Through its affiliated sectarian government in Iraq, Nouri al-Maliki, resorted to a horrifying hate campaign on the Sunni community. The devastating Shiite army murdered thousands of the same Sunnis who bravely launched a rooted campaign that overwhelmed al-Qaeda, fighting shoulder to shoulder with the U.S. and Iraqi military. However, they are now compensated with savagery, all blessed and administered by Iran. As a result, Maliki and Tehran, along with Assad and coupled with a weak policy adopted by the West, gave birth to ISIS. Iran-backed Shiite militias have ever since stemmed further massacres under the pretext of tackling terrorism.

Iran has stretched out its crimes into Syria through its allied groups launching killings and massacres. Senior Iranian officials, the Lebanese Hezbollah and volunteers numbering in the thousands – recruited by Iran’s Quds Force from Afghanistan and Pakistan – have all risen to fight for Assad. Such atrocities have engulfed the Syria conflict from its very beginning back in 2011, part and parcel of the massive campaigns that has left over 300,000 dead and millions displaced.

The undeniable reality simply cannot be changed despite Iran resorting to raiding the Saudi missions and ridiculous calls for “divine vengeance” from Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei. Executions are never vindicated anywhere in the world. Yet no execution justifies raids, rightly described as terrorist attacks, against diplomatic missions.

Iran, cornered by numerous challenges and threats, with its miserable history of fueling sectarianism across the Middle East and planting the seeds of dissatisfaction, has always resorted to cloak its actual intent through devoutness. Considering the perplex times before us, these old tactics have become futile. It is high time for the international community, particularly the United States to adopt a policy of bold measures against Iran as this regime understands only a powerful approach. The sheer nature and characteristics of the regime ruling Iran will never allow it to become part of the solution for peace and stability in the region.

Basiri is an Iranian human rights activist and supporter of democratic regime change in Iran. Follow him on Twitter: @Amir_bas