The US State Department has issued a formal condemnation of the Iranian government following two days of economic protests centering in a handful of cities, calling the regime "a rogue state whose chief exports are violence, bloodshed, and chaos" while announcing support for protesters. It fits a familiar script which seems to roll out when anyone protests for any reason in a country considered an enemy of the United States (whether over economic grievances or full on calling for government overthrow).
The statement by spokesperson Heather Nauert, released late on Friday, further comes very close to calling for regime change in Iran when it asserts the following:
On June 14, 2017, Secretary Tillerson testified to Congress that he supports "those elements inside of Iran that would lead to a peaceful transition of government. Those elements are there, certainly as we know." The Secretary today repeats his deep support for the Iranian people.
U.S. strongly condemns arrest of peaceful protestors in #Iran, urges all nations to publicly support Iranian people. As @POTUS said, longest-suffering victims of Iran's leaders are Iran's own people. #Iranprotests pic.twitter.com/mUTObTeHft
— Heather Nauert (@statedeptspox) December 29, 2017
Though most current reports strongly suggest protests are being driven fundamentally by economic grievances, the US has already framed this week's events inside Iran as revolutionary in nature and as aiming for "transition of government". On Friday evening White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders tweeted the following statement:
Reports of peaceful protests by Iranian citizens fed up with the regime’s corruption and its squandering of the nation’s wealth to fund terrorism abroad. The Iranian government should respect their people’s rights including their right to express themselves. The world is watching.
The media is already promoting a regime change narrative
As we noted during our initial coverage of Thursday's protests, Israeli as well as Iranian opposition media commentators (and of course pundits in the US mainstream) have generally appeared giddy with excitement at the prospect that protests could spread inside Iran, potentially culminating in society-wide resistance and possible change in government. It goes without saying that Iran has been enemy #1 for the United States and Israel since the Islamic Revolution and embassy hostage crisis beginning in 1979.
Consider for example this major Israeli international broadcast network, which in an English language interview segment covering the very beginnings of (relatively small and limited) protests Thursday quickly linked the Tehran government with use of chemical weapons in Syria, supporting the "biggest butcher in this region Bashar al-Assad", and facilitating the killing of civilians:
#Iran protests: this might be #Rouhani's chance to force the economic reform he's been long clamoring for, @MeirJa tells @talexander_i24 pic.twitter.com/Pog57xkKKU
— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) December 28, 2017
Simultaneously the resident "expert" presents the protesters as condemning these things while yearning for freedom and democracy. He can barely contain himself while repeating "It's spontaneous! It's spontaneous!... and could be more spontaneous! ...it inspires people to go out more! ...Because it's spontaneous these two are combustible mixtures":
The protests in #Iran are 'completely spontaneous' - which is why @khamenei_ir should be worried, @MeirJa tells @talexander_i24 pic.twitter.com/GLBCPYW06h
— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) December 28, 2017
Other tweets and statements from the generally pro regime-change media and the experts which frequent their panels seem very eager to prematurely cast this as a 'revolution':
Imagine a free, democratic, independent, wealthy Iran. Giving full expression to beauty of Persian culture. Tapping into brains & spirit of its remarkable people. No nukes. At peace with its neighbors. Pray for peaceful end to this brutal & corrupt regime. #IranProtests
— Mark Dubowitz (@mdubowitz) December 30, 2017
Advice for #Iranprotests, if you really want to change things -- I mean the regime: Focus on Tehran. Treat the front-line police and army conscripts with respect and humanity -- try to bring them onside. Take over broadcast stations.
— Sohrab Ahmari (@SohrabAhmari) December 29, 2017
#iranprotests are very different than 1999 and 2009 protests. This is the most vehemently anti regime event I've ever seen. Not just about the economic situation, but a deep and desperate cry against an unjust and repressive system.
— Alireza Nader (@AlirezaNader) December 29, 2017
Listen to the sounds of the kid asking for his mom at the protest in Iran’s Rasht. Look at the kids around. Parents coulda left them at home with grandparents. But they wanted them to see, to plant seeds for next generation. pic.twitter.com/Cu7GUmNIJz
— Borzou Daragahi 🖊🗒 (@borzou) December 29, 2017
#IranProtests: How and where the regime opposes women’s rights https://t.co/uMQPnHhQ5M pic.twitter.com/cmZ4ISEZ6E
— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) December 29, 2017
...And notably (just above) the Saudi royal family owned Al-Arabiya is presenting the Iran protests in terms of women's rights.
Are we witnessing regime change agents hijacking economic protests?
* * *
Further to this point, the always excellent Moon of Alabama blog explores the possibility that what we are witnessing is the beginning of a covert regime change operation in Iran, similar the story of the war in Syria.
Comments
Ahhhh, the work of the CIA....
You'd think that after repeated attempts to do this and their recent failure in Syria they would rethink their well known methods.
Iran is no way going to let this happen without a fight, all Iranians will join together, regardless of their points of view, to defeat the Great Satan JUSA.
In reply to Ahhhh, the work of the CIA… by Stan522
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In reply to You'd think that after… by 07564111
The USSA can only dream of overthrowing the Iranian government. If they left Iran alone, eventually a better government would naturally manifest. But the Neocons never met a country they didn't wish to destroy.
In reply to There's obviously been a … by totenkopf88
Listen here Iranians, you must accept die-versity. In the future, endless hordes of niggers will sweep across your lands, jews will gain control of your banking system and extract your resources, and best of all, you will like it or be accused of racism and Persion privilege.
In reply to The USSA can only dream of… by Latina Lover
#Tyler: It's called 'which path to persia', it's time to shed a light on Kushner, family and friends. The same OTPOR handbook at play..
In reply to Listen here Iranians, you… by Gaius Frakkin'…
Saban Forum 2017: A keynote conversation with Jared Kushner
"As the American administration nears its first anniversary, we are witnessing an approach that is new and different. “America First” naturally raises questions among allies and partners abroad about the scope and depth of U.S. involvement in world affairs. This year's Saban Forum discussions and webcast sessions focused on the U.S.-Israel relationship, the future of the Middle East, and much more."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQdUyvZoonw
https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/06_iran_strategy.p…
In reply to #Tyler: It's called 'which… by InsaneBane
CIA = Changing "business conditions" to better serve it's corporate masters since 1947.
Happy New Year !!!!!!!!
In reply to Saban Forum 2017: A keynote… by InsaneBane
Clowns In America
In reply to CIA = Changing "business… by JRobby
Oded Yinon in progress...hehehe
Heil Eretz Israel!!!
In reply to Clowns In America by Barry Madingo-Odongo
Seems those running the US Empire will not be satisfied until the entire globe is a cauldron of chaos and war...
https://olduvai.ca
In reply to Oded Yinon in progress… by Shlomo Scheckelstein
Zionism, like socialism/marxism etc are merely tools for the elite. They are using their court jews for their dirty bidding, like they used them in the Bolsjevik revolution example: Trotsky/Lenin came from Suisse into Russia.
They want to restore the third temple in Quds (Jerusalem) for the Vatican. The USA, Commonwealth in hands of the queen are subservient to the Vatican. Study the maritime law that they have in common.
In reply to Seems those running the US… by skbull44
The USA lost it's capital with the act of 1871, the finale blow was given with the Federal Reserve Act after the opposition for this plan was placed on board the Titanic.
In reply to Zionism, like socialism… by Yuri Bezmenov
But it had nothing to do with the Vatican but everything to do with Masons and Zionists.
In reply to The USA lost it's capital… by Yuri Bezmenov
The Hidden Hand.
In reply to But it had nothing to do… by FBaggins
We can expect the US to target Iran from every angle but never directly. Iran is considered a source of instability and a threat to those it opposes. It alone is not the final puzzle piece that could bring lasting calm, US version, to the region but a very large and critical piece indeed. This attempt to push Iran to a moderate position is one of many that never ended well. Repeating the same thing and expecting different results is….well….traditional with US foreign policy. Briefing something with PowerPoint slides vs traditional transparent slides is not a different approach to the same old problems.
In reply to The Hidden Hand. by Moe Howard
Except for the time the Magic Negro was POTUS working for Iran, hasn’t this “Iran Regime Change” shit been going on since Jimmy Fuck-Up Carter was POTUS? So what’s new?
In reply to We can expect the US to… by two hoots
Most Iranians now hate not just the mullahs but Islam itself. A bit like in the set up conditions for the French revolution the people had come to hate the Catholic hierarchy alongside the hereditary aristocracy and monarchy it had worked comfortably in lockstep with for centuries. The revolution was both anti-clerical and anti-monarchy. But the French had largely not stopped yet believing in God and Jesus and biblical stories etc. The Persians have largely rejected Islam. It is now widely viewed there as the anti human tyrannical sect of a barbarous invading foreign culture that it was when it was first imposed by invading arabs. Persians today often have a symbol of Zoroastrianism under their clothing or on display in their homes, as a symbol of Persian nationalism, and defiance to the sickness that is the Arab Islam
In reply to … by Skid Marks
Remember that time Trump offered to negotiate with Iran, and they more or less spit in his face?
They will be offered another chance to come to the negotiating table, but with a much lesser position. Qatar redux, I think.
In reply to Most Iranians now hate not… by TBT or not TBT
Hopefully so. I'm tired of shitskins being all upity when it comes to world affairs: "you are jewSA umeryka!" "great satan!" "lalala" shut up sandnigger. we really should ban all muslims from entering america. And we should force our "allies" to do the same. start playing hard ball. either pitch in or get fucked
In reply to Remember that time Trump… by tmosley
The FrenchRevolution was initially a food riot gone big time. The aristocracy's response was "let them eat cake".
In reply to Most Iranians now hate not… by TBT or not TBT
So you are familiar with the Marxist rewrite. You have a lot of ignorant company. No Marie Antoinette never said that. She wasn't that clueless. But mobs are mobs and fake quotes rile them up.
In reply to The FrenchRevolution was… by BetweenThe Coasts
So you are familiar with the Marxist rewrite. You have a lot of ignorant company. No Marie Antoinette never said that. She wasn't that clueless. But mobs are mobs and fake quotes rile them up.
In reply to The FrenchRevolution was… by BetweenThe Coasts
Judging by the insanelity bloodlust and murder of the French Revolution i think we can say they gave up on God/Jesus.
In reply to Most Iranians now hate not… by TBT or not TBT
No they were just mobs doing what mobs do.
In reply to Judging by the insanelity… by strannick
Judging by the insanelity bloodlust and murder of the French Revolution i think we can say they gave up on God/Jesus.
In reply to Most Iranians now hate not… by TBT or not TBT
Give it a rest Skid.....J. Carter despite being a CFR member was one of the better and most decent Presidents we have had in our lifetime......And hes still out there working for the downtrodden and the underdogs....and speaking out against the madness.......look into it......He is the antithesis to George Soros.........
In reply to … by Skid Marks
stirring fast and furious now...
In reply to The Hidden Hand. by Moe Howard
The fingers move masses and armies against each other on the earth, while the veiled hand stands in the middle undisturbed.
In reply to The Hidden Hand. by Moe Howard
Yuri is just a gov't spook who only comments when the "official" response is needed and happily collects his shekels for his "work".
His is another fine example of either one of a dual-citizen or a compromised goy selling out to his masters; in either case it is a microcosm of our "fine" gov't at work promoting "peace" and "equality"...
In reply to But it had nothing to do… by FBaggins
Of one thing you can bet the bank on;
Israel cannot afford to have any country in the region fall to democratic forces.
That would severely damage their shtick.
Totalitarian regimes have to be supported and, at any sign of their weakness, overthrown and replaced by a stronger arm.
In reply to Zionism, like socialism… by Yuri Bezmenov
But they already have elections in Iran. Are you saying it's not a democracy? Despite all the voting?
In reply to Of one thing you can bet the… by curbjob
Chaos IS the strategy... destroy any coherent or organized resistance to Wall Street- Pentagon.... the world prefers Chinses-Russian BRI mercantilism to serial US genocide
In reply to Seems those running the US… by skbull44
the fuck cares what the world prefers?
In reply to Chaos IS the strategy… by Posa
Chaos IS the strategy... destroy any coherent or organized resistance to Wall Street- Pentagon.... the world prefers Chinsese-Russian BRI mercantilism to serial US genocide
In reply to Seems those running the US… by skbull44
Chaos IS the strategy... destroy any coherent or organized resistance to Wall Street- Pentagon.... the world prefers Chinese-Russian BRI mercantilism to serial US genocide
In reply to Seems those running the US… by skbull44
What did Iran think would happen after taking money and gold for oil instead of the dictated dollar.
OR:
Iran is another full of shit gov that lied toooo many times to its people.
In reply to Chaos IS the strategy… by Posa
These people must think we are fucking morons. Of course this is US lead. They had their asses handed to them in Syria, now they are going to take it up another lever. They need to because the walls are closing in on the petrodollar and they want a war to defend it without "technically" started said war. What a fucking joke. Americans are the dumbest fucks in history.
In reply to … by BennyBoy
It is important to distinguish between judging the actions and values of (sometimes rogue) Governments and the actions and values of the Citizens of a Country.
It is not antisemitic to criticise the policies of the Israeli Government; nor is it anti-American to criticise the policies of a very small cadre of Washington policy makers.
Most of us are united in our humanity.
In reply to These people must think we… by Max Hunter
Operation Ajax 2.0
In reply to CIA = Changing "business… by JRobby
Ah yes...overthrow. Its worked so well everywhere its tried.
We will never learn.
In reply to Saban Forum 2017: A keynote… by InsaneBane
It has worked well. It produced chaos and destruction in Syria were U.S. destroyed most of the infrastructure where it maintains a military foot in the door. It set the history of the most peaceful and richest country in Africa (Libya) back 200 years, stole it's gold and exported it's weapons to terrorists. It divided and started a civil war in Ukraine. It killed close to a million people and subjugated Iraq while providing billions in profits to MIC Death-Merchants. It divided and subjugated Yugoslavia.
The traitorous and treacherous U.S. Deep State, with it's War Criminal foreign policy agenda, looks forward to similar, if only partial success, in Iran.
In reply to Ah yes...overthrow. Its… by Michigander
It's time to crank up them telescopic gallows and dish out the popcorn
In reply to #Tyler: It's called 'which… by InsaneBane
..and the Vodka of course..let's see how the yiddish Lebensraum project will play out.
In reply to It's time to crank up them… by king leon
Telescopic 360 degree whirling gallows for the AD folks!
In reply to It's time to crank up them… by king leon
"Are we witnessing thecearly syages of Iranian regime change?"
-ask Syria.
America ruins the world to rule it.
In reply to #Tyler: It's called 'which… by InsaneBane
It's understandable the US now kicking into panic mode now that Iran has broken free of US sanctions and is to play a big part in new Eurasian Silk road along with China,Russia thrusting a dagger through the heart of the U$D
In reply to "Are we witnessing thecearly… by strannick
You intrigue me with this machine, Senor...
In reply to It's understandable the US… by king leon
I see the Jewish neocon chicken hawks are out in force.. Looks like Israhell knows if the US and petrodollar goes down, they will no longer have our shadow to hide in.. Good luck with that.
In reply to "Are we witnessing thecearly… by strannick
"Are we witnessing thecearly syages of Iranian regime change?"
-ask Syria.
America ruins the world to rule it.
In reply to #Tyler: It's called 'which… by InsaneBane
Pagination