January 19, 2023
Former under secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Robert Joseph said that "the events in Iran are part of a revolution, the end of the Islamic Regime is nigh" during an interview with the Unity Foundation on Thursday.
Joseph said this in relation to the "hijab protests" that broke out across the country as a result of the death of Mahsa Amini. The protests have been ongoing for months, and many protestors have been killed in demonstrations while at least three people have been executed.
Joseph explained that he is optimistic about the future of Iran. According to him, "In university, I read about Iranians' desire for the 1905 revolution (constitutional revolution) and during my 40-year career, I have witnessed the rise of Iranians against the Shah's dictatorship and religious autocracy, which has been ruling Iran for 40 years.
"I believe that during decades of violent and repressive government during the era of Shah and Makhund [Akhund?!], the desire of the Iranian people for freedom and democracy has always prevailed. I think people's patience is over and this is evident in what is happening in Iran's uprising. Let's call it revolution - a revolution that shows that the lives of the people have reached the limit and their endurance has been exhausted by the regime's widespread and pervasive corruption."
He added that "the people of Iran are tired of the regime's incompetence, whether it is in the field or fighting the COVID-19 pandemic or the bankrupt economy. Look at violence against women and minorities! They are tired of violence. They are tired of foreign controversy and what Iran has become in the eyes of the world, an isolated and rejected country. But most importantly, people want freedom and human dignity, and I think they will win in this way. It may not be that day, today, tomorrow or this month, but this regime is over. Things never go back. People will fight for democracy."
A man gestures during a protest over the death of Mahsa Amini, a woman who died after being arrested by the Islamic republic's ''morality police'', in Tehran, Iran September 19, 2022
Why have the protests continued for so long?
Joseph explained that the reason the protest is succeeding and entering its fifth month is that "the Iranians have been subjected to violence, suppressed and, in fact, tired. People are tired of this regime for many reasons and despite the oppression, despite the repression in the streets and despite the death of hundreds of people and the imprisonment of thousands of others, Iranians still want freedom. This is a reflection of their living conditions for a long time and their will to build a free and democratic Iran. I think the reason why the uprising in Iran has lasted so long is that people want justice.
"Iran is not Libya, nor is it Syria. It is a country that is ready for democracy and has been ready for it for a long time. The Iranian revolution only needs organization."
Iran warns EU not to list Revolutionary Guards as terrorist entity
On Wednesday the European Parliament called for the EU to list the Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization.
Iran warned on Thursday that the European Union would "shoot itself in the foot" by listing the Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist entity, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian told the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell, state media said.
"We have repeatedly said the Revolutionary Guards are a formal and sovereign organization whose role is central for guaranteeing Iran's security. Steps taken by the European Parliament to list the organization as terrorist are in a way a shot in the foot of Europe itself," Iran's foreign minister said.
On Wednesday the European Parliament called for the EU to list the Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization, blaming it for the repression of domestic protesters and the supply of drones to Russia's military engaged in Ukraine.
Anti-government demonstrations
Widespread anti-government demonstrations erupted in Iran in September after the death of Kurdish Iranian woman Mahsa Amini, who had been detained over flouting the strict dress code imposed on women.
The European Parliament condemned the crackdown on protesters by Iran's security forces, which include the powerful Revolutionary Guard Corps, as "brutal."
"It is necessary to respect mutual security in the world of diplomacy and increase mutual trust instead of following the language of threats and unfriendly actions. In any case of a terrorist listing, Iran will take reciprocal measures," Amirabdollahian said.
Iran and world powers, including EU members France and Germany, have engaged in negotiations since 2021 to revive a 2015 nuclear deal, with discussions in a stalemate since September.
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