In An interview with Breitpart News that was translated and published by the Arabian Gulf Center for Iranian Studies, former Vermont governor, Howard Dean described the Iranian regime saying, “Iran is neither an Islamic state nor a Republic”. He added, “Iran has been hijacked by thugs and murderers,” and should not be considered “a Muslim country.” He stated that he respects Muslims who cannot be prejudiced by the Iranian regime’s practices. Dean concluded that Iran is the largest sponsor of terrorism and menacing of the region.
Its high rates of executions and torturing political prisoners give it one of the worst human rights records in the world, which makes it the farthest thing from the Islamic Republic.
However, Howard did not come up with something new. Ayatollah Hussein Ali Montazeri, vice-chairperson of Khomeini (1985-1987), opposed both the Jurist Leadership that had claimed Khomeini a supreme ruler of the country and Iran-Contra, the mutual Iranian-Israeli deal for weapons. Consequently, Khomeini expelled him and put him under house arrest. Moreover, Montazeri was the first to have the courage and admit that this is neither an Islamic state nor a Republic, which is, in fact, the most accurate description of post-revolution Iran.
“Neither a Republic”
This description comes about when the crown is replaced by a turban and the Jurist Leader occupies all powers. He is the supreme leader that draws foreign policy, national security, and assigns and expels senior officials such as Minister of Intelligence and heads of councils. Jurist Leader’s responsibilities are not limited to this but extend to assigning Jumaa Imams, Head of Radio and Television Committee, and leaders of all military corps. In addition to that, the Supreme Leader has a representational office in every university, college, and region that terrifies people and officials as well, which raises a question about the role of the President of the Republic?
“Nor Islamic”
Iranian Constitution-Article Twelve states that the official and everlasting religion of the country is Islam, Twelfth Jaafari Doctrine. Based on that, Iran is ruled by a sectarian regime under a supreme leadership of the Jurist Leader that is taken into consideration in all office assignments, universities, scholarships, army enlistments, and even determining university disciplines, which raises a question about the true belief of the Jurist Leadership as a thought and practice, and how can Sunnis or non-Muslim Iranian citizens be obligated to believe in the Jurist Leadership as a condition for employment, while some Twelfth Shiite Iranians locally and abroad, and perhaps in Qum itself, do not believe in this doctrine and consider it a religion and heresy of Khomeini.
All in all, the practices and behavior of the Iranian regime locally and abroad confirm Montaziri’s statement that has recently been adopted by Howard Dean, “neither Islamic nor a Republic.” Nevertheless, it is strange that some people are still deluded by the regime that spouts slogans and renounces its people whenever necessary.
Source: Translated Material, Alwatan News
Opinions in this article reflect the writer’s point of view, not necessarily the view of The Arabain GCIS
