An Israeli intelligence report that was provided to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Cabinet, and which has leaked to the media, suggests that the Iranian regime was taken by surprise by the ongoing wave of protests, but is not in danger of collapse — at least, not yet.
Barak Ravid of Israel’s Channel 10, writing at Axios.com, notes: “Big picture: The Israeli Foreign Ministry report says the Iranian regime was surprised by the mass protest and is now trying to contain it through preventive arrests and crackdown on social media — while trying to avoid violent response against protesters.”
Ravid said that the report indicates that “The Iran protests started over economic issues but very fast ‘took a political and violent turn which included harsh anti-regime criticism over government spending on Syria, Lebanon and Yemen.’”
Iran has spent billions of dollars on its military adventurism and terrorism in the Middle East and around the world. That is the cause of deep resentment inside Iran itself, where the economy has not fully recovered from years of international sanctions on its nuclear program that were lifted by President Barack Obama and his Iran deal in 2015. In addition, the Iranian economy suffers from heavy state intervention, including from the military, which in turn has led to corruption and mismanagement.
In the summer of 2009, the protests of the “Green Revolution” briefly threatened the stability of the regime. But then-U.S. President Barack Obama declined to support the demonstrations, and the regime consolidated power. President Donald Trump has taken the opposite approach — as many of Obama’s former advisers have urged him to “be quiet” instead.
The regime is stronger today than is was in 2009 — thanks in no small part to Obama — but the protests are reportedly more widespread. Several people have been killed already by police attempting to put down the demonstrations.
If such clashes continue, and escalate, the regime could further lose legitimacy and confidence. At that point, anything is possible.
Iran has accused Israel of fomenting the protests — an idea that Netanyahu called “laughable” in a video message released Monday.
The Iranian regime tries desperately to sow hate between Iranians and Israelis. They won't succeed. When this regime finally falls – and one day it will – Iranians and Israelis will be great friends once again. I wish the Iranian people success in their noble quest for freedom. pic.twitter.com/kk8wTYmhnz
— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) January 1, 2018
Netanyahu continued: “I will not insult the Iranian people. They deserve better.” He predicted the regime’s eventual demise as its citizens pursued freedom.
Joel B. Pollak is Senior Editor-at-Large at Breitbart News. He was named to Forward’s 50 “most influential” Jews in 2017. He is the co-author of How Trump Won: The Inside Story of a Revolution, is available from Regnery. Follow him on Twitter at @joelpollak.
Anyone stupid enough to believe this garbage Zionist trash deserves to be sent to die for israel in the comijng war these devils crave. Anyone who’s been paying attention knows this was all orchestrated many years ago. I’m seriously running out of patience with this. Americans are being used against each other and the world for Israel and global Talmudic zionists benefit and to our detriment. Wanna know why Iran has financial problems? This article says it’s because of military adventures and supporting terrorism. False. How about the sanctions put on Iran, an oil rich nation that could easily support itself but because of Zionist edicts is forced to play by the rules of the West to cripple it. So it’s laughable Netanyahu, is it? Has anyone heard of the oded yinon plan? Yeah, I’m sure there’s no Israeli involvement at all. All you Trump suckers can go to hell right a long with him and all other Zionist puppets. Do the world a favor and follow their orders to your death. That’s all your good for. The left, right march to the Zionist war drums and you pay for it. Stupid asses. You reap what you sow. https://youtu.be/TzSjPDaSNMQ
Jamal, I agree 100% and that Patrick Clawson is pathetic.
What kills me is that this is all information that’s already out in the open. Its not unknown anymore. How is it so hard for some people to see and understand this?
because people do not want to admit they were duped
Jamal…you are spot on …..now along with the sanctions king trump and his asset forfeiture will create more misery and death
Absolutely right Mary. And the brain dead sheep applaud trash like him and keep themselves blind all while America deteriorates and israel flourishes off our tax money and blood.