In a recent televised address, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the Foreign Minister of Iran, made a poignant statement: “If we don’t defend Gaza today, tomorrow we will have to defend against these bombs in our own children’s hospitals in our cities.”

This sentiment was mirrored by Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, who emphasized that should conflict not be tackled outside Iran’s borders, the nation would end up confronting its own citizens.

Amir-Abdollahian further recognized the concerns of the Lebanese, stating, “Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah [leader of the Lebanese Hezbollah] had a very accurate interpretation. He said that while some in Lebanese society may oppose their involvement, if proactive measures are not taken by Hezbollah today, then they may find themselves battling against Israeli forces in Beirut tomorrow.”

There is growing alarm regarding the Iranian regime’s intentions, especially among neighboring nations like Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Lebanon, and Palestine. While Iran’s narrative is often draped in terms of “resistance” and “defense of Islam,” the reality for many is a tale of devastation, slaughter, and corruption.

Khamenei’s “strategic depth” policy has been criticized for using innocent lives as a buffer to solidify his regime’s dominance.

A deep dive into Syria showcases the extent of Iran’s interventionist tactics. When the Syrian populace rallied against Bashar al-Assad’s oppressive reign in 2011, they came close to toppling his regime. However, Khamenei intervened, dispatching the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and substantial weaponry.

The historical city of Aleppo stands as a tragic monument to the IRGC’s brutality in Syria. Riaz Nassan Agha, representing the Syrian opposition, expressed his disbelief at the IRGC’s intent to annihilate such a monumental city.

However, the Iranian regime’s ventures are not without cost. Even before 2020, an estimated 20 to 30 billion dollars were spent on the Syrian intervention. This extravagant expenditure, coupled with Iran’s continued expansionist policies, has plunged its own people into unparalleled poverty. It’s not surprising then that Iranian civilians are increasingly voicing their discontent, paralleled by outcries from Syrians, Iraqis, and Lebanese citizens.

The IRGC, under Qasem Soleimani’s leadership, was significantly implicated in the horrifying events of the Syrian civil war. By 2018, over 650,000 lives were lost, 5 million were displaced abroad, and another 7.6 million became refugees within Syria’s borders.

Khamenei’s oppressive domestic policies, combined with his ambitious regional aspirations, are causing widespread resentment across the Middle East. The people are uniting in their understanding that Khomeinism, headquartered in Tehran and championed by Khamenei, is the root cause of regional turmoil. For lasting peace to prevail, it’s becoming clear to many that a change in Iran’s leadership and policies is imperative.

MEK Iran (follow us on Twitter and Facebook), Maryam Rajavi’s on her site, Twitter & Facebook, NCRI  (Twitter & Facebook), and People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran – MEK IRAN – YouTu