Needed: Strong Response
Iran’s Mullahs Iranian Mullahs Will Not Stop Unless They Are Stopped

Majid Rafizadeh

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• Since the Biden-Harris administration came into power in 2021, the Iranian regime’s belligerent behavior has reached unprecedented levels. The only way to stop this regime’s aggression is a response that makes it clear that the cost of any further malign activity on the part of them — or their proxies — will be a price too high to pay.

• The fingerprints and influence of Iran are evident in countless conflicts – both global and regional. Iran, along with Qatar, have been key players in the war against Israel.
• Iran was also behind “over 150 attacks” on US troops in the Middle East, just since October 7, 2023, wounding many American troops.

• So long as the Iranian regime is allowed to expand its influence and wreak havoc –before it has nuclear bombs — global security will continue to deteriorate. Just imagine what Iran will do once it has them.

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The only way to stop the Iranian regime’s aggression is a response that makes it clear that the cost of any further malign activity on the part of them — or their proxies — will be a price too high to pay. (Image source: iStock/Getty Images)

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Since the Biden-Harris administration came into power in 2021, the Iranian regime’s belligerent behavior has reached unprecedented levels. The only way to stop this regime’s aggression is a response that makes it clear that the cost of any further malign activity on the part of them — or their proxies — will be a price too high to pay.

The fingerprints and influence of Iran are evident in countless conflicts – both global and regional. Iran, along with Qatar, have been key players in the war against Israel. Leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah, as reported by the Wall Street Journal, have openly admitted that Iran was involved in the attack, and quoted “senior members of Hamas and Hezbollah” as acknowledging that Iran’s regime leaders were instrumental in planning the brutal assault. In addition, The Washington Post reported that, according to U.S. intelligence sources, Iran “provided military training and logistical help as well as tens of millions of dollars for weapons.”

Iran contributes approximately $100 million annually to Palestinian terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and $700 million annually to Hezbollah. As U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) stated:

“93% of Hezbollah and Hamas’ money comes from Iran. They’re the source of the problem. They’re the great evil. So, if Hezbollah escalates against Israel, it will be because Iran told them to. Then Iran, you’re in the crosshairs of the United States and Israel.”

Iran was also behind “over 150 attacks” on US troops in the Middle East, just since October 7, 2023, wounding many American troops.

Furthermore, Yemen’s Houthis have effectively blocked the Red Sea and the Suez Canal for commercial maritime traffic, forcing ships that are refused insurance due to Houthi threats to travel around the entire African continent.

The Houthis, with Iranian backing, also continue to amass weapons in Yemen, and have joined Iran in attacking Israel, resulting in deaths and injuries. Iranian aggression also appears to be aimed at pushing the U.S. out of the region.

The Iranian regime, from the beginning, has supported Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Since then, Iran has apparently become a significant arms supplier to Russia, beyond just supplying attack drones. A report from Sky News revealed:

“Iran has secretly supplied large quantities of bullets, rockets and mortar shells to Russia for the war in Ukraine and plans to send more… The source claimed that two Russian-flagged cargo ships, departed an Iranian port in January bound for Russia via the Caspian Sea, carrying approximately 100 million bullets and around 300,000 shells. Ammunition for rocket launchers, mortars and machine guns was allegedly included in the shipments. The source said Moscow paid for the ammunition in cash.”

Iran’s regime also reportedly deployed troops to aid Russia to attack Ukraine’s infrastructure and civilian population.

A serious response to Iran should include targeting its key infrastructure, such as oil and gas facilities, training bases, and basic infrastructure such as electric grids. U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham has suggested, as Tehran’s main revenue comes from oil exports:

“What I would do, is I would bomb Iran’s oil infrastructure. The money financing terrorism comes from Iran. It’s time for this terrorist state to pay a price for financing and supporting all this chaos.”

Even destroying a few oil refineries could “send a message” and force Iran’s leaders to reconsider their actions.

Additionally, imposing economic sanctions to cut off funding to Iran and its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps should be a priority. Furthermore, the Biden-Harris administration should enforce secondary sanctions — prohibiting US commerce with any country that does business with Iran. The ban would include countries such as China that violate U.S. sanctions by purchasing massive amounts of oil from Iran at deeply discounted prices. Nations should be forced to choose between doing business with the U.S. or Iran —not both.

So long as the Iranian regime is allowed to expand its influence and wreak havoc –before it has nuclear bombs — global security will continue to deteriorate. Just imagine what Iran will do once it has them.

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Dr. Majid Rafizadeh is a business strategist and advisor, Harvard-educated scholar, political scientist, board member of Harvard International Review, and president of the International American Council on the Middle East. He has authored several books on Islam and US Foreign Policy. He can be reached at Dr.Rafizadeh@Post.Harvard.Edu

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