Milan (AsiaNews) – Behind the agreement, internal conflicts within the Iranian regime continue, with hardliners opposed to the policy of dialogue with the United States (and its ally Israel), which raises more than a few concerns among Iranian Christians and the Iranian diaspora.
Attieh Fard, a 44-year-old Christian politician and lawyer born in Iran who moved many years ago to the United Kingdom, raises concerns among some movements and civil society groups over a "peace" deal that fails to erase the devastation of the Israeli-American war and address domestic tensions.
According to the activist, some critics believe that the end to the conflict and dialogue with the Islamic republic will ultimately “help the regime become more stable over time and continue the repression at home” against those who oppose the theocracy.
Radicals vs. moderates
The Iranian activist was among the recent promoters of a declaration signed by more than 200 religious and secular Christian leaders in Iran and abroad, calling for the end to the regime (and the return of Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi).
She spoke to AsiaNews about the deal agreed upon over the weekend, set to be sealed on 19 June in Switzerland, which would end a war she herself had considered perhaps "the only way" to change the leadership of a state that has oppressed its people for decades.
“There are reports of internal conflict inside” the government, Attieh Fard notes, with attacks against hardliners who have opposed peace with Washington in recent weeks.
“The government I hear is more focusing on internal security and its survival and even if they give any short-term leverage now, in the long-term they could get worse” for many Iranians.
“Shia believe in taqiyyah (prudence),” she explains, a principle in Islam that refers to cautious dissimulation, aimed at defending oneself from persecution or imminent threats.
This means that one “can lie to ensure the Islamic state survives. They will therefore be able to breach this MoU easily” should the opportunity or need arise, which is something "I have experienced myself”.
“Last night (14 June) I saw a video of Iran’s hardliners saying (Iranian Foreign Minister) Araghchi should be executed. A deal with the US goes against the core belief of Iran’s hardliners who have for years chanted death to the US and called the US the great evil.”
There is also a section in the agreement whose terms “undermine Iran’s investment in nuclear” power.
“Iran may have serious internal conflicts”, especially since “the MoU has not yet been signed”. If the hardliners are strong as before “they will stop it being signed”.
In such a situation of uncertainty and tensions, there is also the issue of the World Cup currently underway in the United States (as well as Mexico and Canada), with "Team Melli" starting off against New Zealand in Los Angeles last night.
If the agreement is signed, the US will have “won a great political game to manage its internal affairs during the World Cup” and blame Iran if the latter “withdraws from the deal.”
Christians' doubts
The climate of division and tensions among Iranians also emerged during the World Cup match against New Zealand, which ended with applause at a 2-2 draw after a thrilling match.
During the national anthems, some fans sang, while others booed loudly. Even the early stages of the match saw some in the crowd protesting the team, while in the stands, spectators waved the official flag of the Islamic Republic (with the name of Allah in the middle) while others waved that of Imperial Iran, with the sun and lion. Despite strict checks, the latter were let through by security personnel.
Many of the 70,000 spectators were members of the Iranian diaspora in Los Angeles, home to the world's largest Iranian exile community. The divisions in the stands reflect the divisions among Iranians, both at home and in the diaspora, over the peace deal with Trump.
“I ran a survey for those inside and outside Iran, and people, mostly Christian I believe, have unanimously voted against the deal,” Attieh Fard said.
“In view of many this will help the regime become more stable over time and continue the repression at home - Christians in particular will continue to be persecuted as Iran’s law remains subject to Sharia law and therefore Christian converts from Islam will be mistreated”, as evinced in recent arrests and incarcerations.
“Many Christians and non-Christians have said they feel sad, anger and betrayed as the Iranian people’s cry for change of regime has not been heard and the agreement is purely financial and focuses on nuclear” issues.
“My own view, it’s too soon to judge US intention and the future. We are in the first week of the World Cup, US is unlikely to start any military action against Iran during this time. It is better for the world economy if oil can easily pass the Strait of Hormuz”.
This month is “a month of peace and passage of oil. We are seeing an MoU, not a contract. The downside is that the Islamic Regime will also generate revenue, possibly work on its future strategy with the US and Israel and continue repression at home.”
A new and peaceful Iran
Finally, the Christian lawyer gave her thoughts about the country’s future and the foundations from which it should begin to create, with the involvement of world leaders, a country at peace with the world, above all, with itself and its people, without exception.
“My request to world leaders is proscribe IRGC,[*] freeze their assets wherever they are, invest in security, help the Iranian people,” Attieh Fard said.
Street protests, she believes, are far from over, and we will soon see new demonstrations. For this reason, someone ought to protect the demonstrators "when Iranians take to the streets”.
What are needed are “statlink dishes inside and make access to the internet free, start legal proceedings against the Islamic republic for its massacre of tens of thousands of Iranians and continued arbitrary arrests and executions.”
For the activist, it is necessary to “help millions of Iranians to be set free; start international pressure on its oppressive mechanisms and forces”.
“A free Iran can go back to the world economy and can benefit other countries economically and security-wise so a short-term investment by free and democratic countries now will have a huge return in the future.”
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[*] Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, also known as Pasdaran.
