It must be understood that taking out Iran’s ‘Supreme Leader’ and other senior officials does not deliver anything like a fatal blow to the present regime. It is not people or a political party in power, it is an ideology based on the Shia belief system. For as long as a substantial number of the people believe in it, showering missiles on the country is not going to make a difference, or lead to a change in the power structure. Khamenei, who was already an old man, will be replaced by another person, or as it seems at present, a group of clerics.
It must be asked why there are so many US military bases in countries of the region. It is not just about protecting shipping lines, it is also protection provided to nations with Sunni populations that feel threatened by Iran and would find it difficult, individually, to defend themselves from aggression by that nation, or its proxies like Hezbollah and the Houthis. This is based on the age-old rivalry between the Shias and the Sunnis that has been revived by present day fundamentalism.
Iran was very much a modern society, though a monarchy, before it was taken over by the Islamic Revolution. It has regressed to an oppressive regime that functions on the basis of outdated norms, particularly in its treatment of women. It needs change, but can it come about through the methods being adopted at present? The response seen among sections of Muslims in other countries, including India, shows that it is basically being considered an attack on Shias. Enough people in Iran might have a different opinion but it will take much more than a defeat in the exchange of missiles and drones to bring back the nation’s former ruling family (which is being considered the best option at present).
Considering these facts, it can be said that the present attack serves two purposes that are not directly related to the democratic rights of the Iranians. First, Israel considers Iran its most dangerous enemy, so it wants to destroy its military as far as possible. Secondly, US President Donald Trump is desperate to distract the attention of his people from the Epstein Files. He will continue with assaults on easy targets (Cuba next?) – to stay out of trouble at home. Considering that he has around three more years to go in office, there is potential for far more trouble. As such, the US Congress could do the world a great service by pardoning and granting immunity to Trump for his Epstein related wrongdoings. That seems the only way out if the world is to be saved.
