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Why Does the Iranian Ruling Clique Hate America?

(Asharq Al-Awsat-UK) Amir Taheri - Between 1957 and 1979, an estimated 200,000 Iranians attended colleges and universities in the U.S. The Khomeinist ruling clique has continued the tradition. According to an estimate by the Islamic Majlis (parliament), over 2,000 children of Khomeinist civilian and military officials are studying in the U.S. Dozens of former members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Islamic media, and Islamic security agencies are working in U.S. universities and think tanks. Hundreds of senior Khomeinist officials hold U.S. passports and/or "Green Card" permanent residencies. Iran as a nation has no reason to hate America and every reason to harbor good feelings towards it as a friend in need. However, Iran as an Islamic Republic, as a vehicle for Khomeinist ideology, must regard the U.S. as a direct threat to its hegemony in Iran. An Iran that is friendly with the U.S. and is inspired by "American values" such as freedom of expression and the rule of law would not long tolerate the despotic and lawless system created by the ayatollah. Normal relations with the U.S. would spell the death of Khomeinism in Iran. In sum: Khomeinists must be anti-American to remain in power while they and their children benefit from the best that America offers. Will the U.S. help Iran in its struggle to break the shackles of a sick ideology and re-become the nation-state it had been for millennia? The writer was executive editor-in-chief of the daily Kayhan in Iran from 1972 to 1979.
2019-06-10 00:00:00
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