How to Stop Iranian Hardliners and their Connection to the Terrorists?

Ghazal Omid, Global Politician:

The Islamic government of Iran, which came to power nearly three decades ago, has been a safe harbor and incubator for terrorism. Although the Iranian government is Shiah and many of the Islamic hardliners and terrorists are Sunni, they readily set historical and religious differences aside to focus on a common goal; spreading hatred and working toward the destruction of the United States and Israel, which they declare to be “EVIL” powers.

Eerily, Khomeini’s first speech when he came to power in 1978 was held in Behesht Zahra Cemetery, where he preached that Iran should export its Islamic version of freedom to all countries, particularly those south of Iran and throughout the Middle East. After being nearly defeated by Sadam, losing 500,000 young people and creating 1,000,000 refugees, the government of Iran finally stopped the incessant broadcasting of that infamous speech, which had brought nothing but misery to Iranians and other people in the Persian Gulf and now prohibits any mention of it in press or radio. That does not mean, however, that his successor, the self-titled “Ayatollah Khameini”, hesitates to imprison journalists who speak unkindly of the late so-called Imam Khomeini.

In the past decades, as the world struggled to find ways to achieve peace with Iran, hardliners benefited from low-key attention and grew bigger and stronger than ever. In the recent election, Mr Khatami, the “Moderate President,” was defeated; replaced by Ahmadinejad, a repressive radical who, by his own statements, promises to drag Iran back to the medieval barbarism of Khomeini. Despite overwhelming evidence, he denies he was a leader in the US embassy hostage incident and a brutal interrogator in Evin prison. Of course, he also denies that Iran wants nuclear power. The present government of Iran has been assembled from a coven of cowards who do the dirty work but don’t take the responsibility; murderers who, since the Islamic revolution, have killed more than 135,000 citizens who bravely criticized the regime and alleged “experts”, who know less about governing than an intelligent child. They deny everything, believing this is “Tagieh,” a misused Islamic rule, which in translation means, “On rare occasions, one may lie if the lie benefits Islam or saves a life.” As a Shiah religion expert, I have great respect for Prophet Mohamad and his true religion but lies, deception, killing, torture and the atrocities perpetrated in this “Islamic Iran” are crimes against humanity and go strongly against His teachings.

Terrorism brings shivers to civilized people’s spine. A newly shaped ideology among extremists has them believing that killing others will take them to heaven; so long as they pray to Allah and read the Koran. In reality, terrorism is a cancer growing on the body of Islam.

Iran denies any involvement with terrorists but we need to question why it spends millions of dollars in Iraq subsidizing Hamas or anyone who fights against Israel? Why has Iran become the vacation spot for so many Arab extremists?

The government of Iran claims it has no interest in becoming a nuclear power, even as they break the UN seals and continue processing uranium.

Now, the question is: What can we do to stop Iran? First, the world must not wait the estimated five or ten years required for that government to have nuclear power, to act.

However, marching an American army into Iran would be a deadly mistake. READ MORE

I say this with conviction because I witnessed Iran's mullah’s ability to manipulate people to fight against Iraq and the American hostage rescue expedition, which was destroyed in the Iranian desert. Iran was on the brink of bankruptcy when Iraq barged into the country in early 1979. The Iranian people could have ousted the mullahs right then. Instead, the urge of the people to fight against an outside enemy and protect their borders resulted in half-a-million war casualties and subsequently, over the past two decades, the lives of 135,000 Iranians who opposed the government.

For Iranians nothing is more important than their sovereignty. Once again, they will fall for the same tricks and will unify and rise to defend their homeland. Considering Iran's extreme variation in climate, invaders would be challenged, not only by the weather but also by other foreign elements, including language and the hidden passageways in the ancient buildings of every city. America would be fighting another urban militia war and would either have to demolish the ancient infrastructure and be forever resented as barbaric invaders or suffer huge losses by local militia. I don't want the Persian culture sacrificed nor do I want Americans killed. It would be a tragedy for all.

Pressuring Iran in the UN may be helpful but sanctions are not the way to go. Of all the sanctions imposed against brutal dictators, none have been effective. The economy of Iran is largely dependent on oil and exporting goods. If Iran’s income is cut, the people, not the government, will suffer. Iran will devote every penny it can suck from people's blood to reach its nuclear goal, starving the Iranian people in the process, and the loss of millions of lives will be on our hands. Civilized foreign governments must unite to prevent Iran from achieving nuclear power. It is widely known that Iranian politicians, including former presidents, have offshore accounts, investing their stolen money in Canada and other countries. These assets must be frozen. Many of these investments are the source of income for organizations and “charities” hostile to America and Israel. Iran has become a safe haven for terrorist cells. Who knows if Bin Laden is in Pakistan or Iran? In my opinion, he has a better chance to hide in Iran than in Pakistan. The same goes for Al Zarkawi. I am convinced that anyone who is hurting America and Israel is welcome to hide in Iran.

To put an end to Khomeini’s long legacy of madness and find peace in the Middle East and in the world, Iran’s theocratic regime must go. Iranian people need help to identify a visionary, a capable leader to bring Iran into the 21st century. Iranian opposition needs guidance and a headquarters in the free world. People around the world need to understand that talking about Iran is one thing; living under the current Iranian regime is a Hell they cannot imagine. Those who have lived it will never forget. Other nations must help the Iranian people put an end to the Atomic Mullahs. I believe, if Iran becomes a nuclear power, the world needs to dig either their shelters or their graves.

Ghazal Omid is an author of Living in Hell, human rights and women's rights advocate, and an expert on Iran and Shiah Islam.