What do the Iranian Ayatollahs Really Want

Abstract

This short opinion article asks what the leaders of Iran's religious regime want and why they are hostile to Israel and the United States. The author argues that the use of military force to pursue imperialistic aims reflects ancient aggressive urges that still prevail in human societies, and presents the Iranian Ayatollahs as an example. According to the article, after the removal of the Shah the Ayatollahs established a theocratic regime protected by security layers, particularly the Revolutionary Guards, and, despite Iran's natural resources, failed to develop the economy and living standards, which the author attributes to corruption, religious obsession including the oppression of women, and spending on military adventures. The author contends that Iran has no territorial or economic conflict with Israel and that the regime uses Israel as a scapegoat to divert public attention from its own failures, including through claims concerning the Al Aqsa mosque that the author disputes. The article suggests that the regime's religious control and instigated terror could lead to its collapse, possibly following a war with Israel and the United States over the development of nuclear weapons. It concludes that the Ayatollahs want comfort, security, total obedience and protection from revolution, and that such a regime, involved in international terror, should be eradicated.

Abstract prepared by the editorial office from the full text of the article; the authors did not supply one.