The people of Iran vehemently oppose the intervention of any foreign power in their country. It is as clear as daylight that the profit-driven and empire-like agenda pursued by international capitalist powers and their imperialist counterparts around the world—and, in particular, the militaristic operations of the global police state, i.e. the adventurous Bush administration--is not to bring about freedom, democracy and justice. Instead, their goal is to establish a menacing neo-conservative version of American imperial domination in the world, including the Middle East. The U.S. and U.K. officials who are responsible for the calamitous situation in Iraq should be charged as criminals and put on trial in a court of the people.
On the other side is the reactionary clerical regime in Iran, which is also guilty of fomenting, in the last 28 years, horrible predicaments such as war (between Iran and Iraq), fanatical extremism, bloody repression, economic misery and profound inequality in the society. In fact, during its three decades of existence the Islamic Republic has been as autocratic as the barbarous Taliban, the extremist fanatic terrorists, and the repressive regimes of the late Saddam Hussein and most other rulers in the Middle East. The basic question for the progressive activists of the world is how best to show solidarity with the people and expose the ruinous politics of the ruling reactionary elites on all sides.
The history of colonial and imperial aggressions shows that when oppressed and besieged people resist both external incursions on and internal violation of their legitimate rights to independence and liberty, it is only then that they are able to succeed in moving toward real democracy and economic justice. In Iraq and Afghanistan, the recent violent occupations have created tragic conditions, and no rational, concerned person would advocate war--and its disastrous destiny--for the Iranian people. Nor, given the regressive nature of the regime, could a thoughtful person recommend embracing the politics of the theocratic Islamic Republic.
In the meantime it is clear that the reckless policies of both the U.S. administration and the Islamic Republic concerning Iran's nuclear agenda and other issues could accelerate the growing danger of an American/Israeli air bombardment of strategic sites in Iran. Even the possibility of military clashes between the two countries, which would result only in catastrophe for the people, should not be dismissed. Hence, any kind of aggressive actions by the U.S. and its allies, either militarily or economic, should be condemned by progressive, anti-war activists. At the same time, Iranians--including workers, the poor, women and students--continue to defy internal repression and external aggression, and they are in need of loud and clear support from international democratic and socialist movements.
Let us keep alive the spirit of people's solidarity for the global struggles regarding peace, freedom, democracy and socialism.The Union of Iranian Socialists in North America (Political Committee)
Feb 2007