Mr. Ahmadi-Nejad is the President of Iran. For the second time in Iran’s history the President is being summoned by the Parliament. The first time was last March when this same President was summoned to answer accusations of disloyalty to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, and economic mismanagement. This time it is to explain why he forced the delay of curbing currency fluctuations in September and October, permitted imports of luxurious cars and neglected domestic wheat production. The Parliament is blaming the President for the country’s economic woes but the President insists that the 50% reduction in their currency has been due to the sanctions placed on Iran by the International community over Iran’s nuclear programs. This summoning could pave the way for the President’s impeachment.
The Revolutionary Guard announced that they had recently fortified their naval might in the Gulf by building another naval base near the disputed island of Greater and Lesser Tunbs and Abu Musa. It is believed that this move is in preparation for any attack by Israel on Iran’s nuclear sites. The military has also announced that they have developed advanced drone weaponry. They claim to have a drone that takes off vertically and that it is so advanced that it is the first of its kind in the world. Some are skeptical.
Our sanctions against Iran are being used to try and change Iranian policy on matters that we currently find unacceptable. That matter is currently Iran’s nuclear program. But does it have to end there? My questions are how far should we go with sanctions? What policies should we not use sanctions to affect? A 50% decrease in their currency value is a serious hit. This may eventually break their economy. Should we limit our sanctions solely on the matter of policy or can we use it to help spread more democratic ideals to countries that don’t have it?
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This post helps to correctly point out the fact the the president of Iran has no real power. Iran is a religious theocracy with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at its head. Ayatollah Khamenei is the person who really calls the shots inside Iran. In my opinion, Iran’s President gets too much attention in the western press. The western press should be focusing their efforts on putting pressure on the people who have real power in Iran to effect change on that nation. Perhaps Ahmadi-Nejad has simply blundered so badly that he will be removed by those who have the real power inside Iran. Those concerned with the nuclear capabilities of Iran should focus their efforts on those who have real power in Iran. Change cannot be expected to occur when dealing with powerless leaders. Those who wish to see change in Iran know who Iran’s real leaders are and must put pressure on those persons if they hope to achieve any results.
The one thing that strikes me is if Iran is in such economic woes for the President to be summoned by Parliament to answer for the economy, how can they afford to develop “advanced drone technology” and build a new military base? If they are not lying about the military developments, then clearly they have funds or are getting them from somewhere.
Sanctions are not going to effect change because they are only harming the Iranian people, and they are not the ones in charge. The question is that beyond military intervention, how can the international community effect change inside Iran? Increased sanctions will not break the backs of those really in charge, but only break the Iranian people who are the people who could lead a revolution in their nation.
Mr. Levithan makes a very valid point. Ahmadi-Nejad is being controlled by the Ayatollah, Ali Khamenei and his advisors. In the end, he will be a scape-goat for the country and be replaced by someone who might toe the line better.
Recent developments see Iran sitting down with the U.N. for more rounds of negotiations regarding their nuclear program. Hopefully, these will be productive.