RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS FROM GULAN WEEKLY MAGAZINE

        First of all how do characterize the situation in the Middle East, what are the most worrisome developments in your perspective that requires urgent and immediate attention? 

I think the most urgent challenge is to confront Iran’s meddling in the region. The regime in Iran is the source of instability in the region and therefore, I believe there must be a united front against the regime.  This regime is more vulnerable than any other time and it is meddling outside Iran to cover up its failures at home.  

        How do you see the recent events occurred in Kurdistan region especially the developments after the October 16? 

What happened in Kurdistan is another example of the malign activity of the Iranian regime and the notorious Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).There have been various reports of crimes committed by the Iraqi Mobilization Force, which is affiliated with the IRGC and its Quds Force.

        How do you describe the US foreign policy Vis-à-vis this region, do you see a consistent and comprehensive strategy by Trump administration regarding this region, or fundamentally flawed one?

I believe after so many years of failure, the US policy in the region is on the right course. But, more practical steps need to be taken on the ground. The US must make it clear that the IRGC and its proxies should leave Syria and if they refuse to withdraw, there must be severe consequences, among others oil sanctions and denying Iran any access to the world banking system.  The same is true about Iran meddling in Iraq, Yemen and Lebanon.   

        How do you analyze the growing Iranian influence in the region? 

The Iranian regime is very vulnerable at home. Therefore, it is desperately trying to cover up its weak, faltering situation at home by some foreign adventures. The regime’s influence does not reflect its strength but it is the result of the failure of regional countries to confront the regime and the failed policy of appeasement, which has been the core of Western governments’ policy on Iran. 

         As you know Iran is the most influential foreign power in Iraq, do you agree that Iraq has become a completely vassal state for Iran, and what is the implication of Iranian dominance over Iraq? 

Iran has influence in Iraq, simply because of the US misguided policies in the past. For years the US turned a blind eye to Iran’s meddling in Iraq, allowing it to gain some influence by suppressing the Sunni population, which contributed to the emergence of ISIS (Daesh). I believe we should not talk about the implication of Iran’s dominance over Iraq but rather we should discuss the policy to make sure that Iran and its notorious IRGC will be expelled immediately from Iraq.

         Recently US administration announced a new strategy for countering Iranian malign activity, and even designated IRGCs as a terrorist organization, how do you interpret this new strategy? 

I think designating the IRGC as terrorist and imposing sanctions on the IRGC and its affiliates was the right decision. But it is only the first step. It must be followed by more concrete steps such as: imposing more severe sanctions on Tehran, including oil and access to the international banking system. Necessary measures must be taken to expel the IRGC and its proxies from Syria and Iraq. The Iranian regime’s officials responsible for the 1988 massacre must be brought to Justice.  And finally the Iranian opposition, the National Council of Resistance of Iran, led by Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, must be supported and recognized as the true representative of the Iranian people. This would be the most severe blow to the mullahs’ regime.

        On the other hand we see that all the pressures and sanction have forced Iran to change its destructive policy in the region, do you believe a more forceful and confrontational approach should be adopted for pushing back against Iran?    

This regime is incapable of changing its behaviour. Khamenei said not long ago that any change of behaviour is equivalent to regime change.Over the past thirty years every conceivable concession was made to the regime in the vain hope of moderating its behaviour, but they all failed.However, this regime only understands the language of force. It came to the negotiations on its nuclear programme when it feared that international sanctions might trigger a mass uprising against the entirety of the regime. Therefore, the way forward is to increase pressure on Iran.

        Some say that short of direct military action, there is no way to force Iran to substantially change its behaviour, what is your opinion in this regard? 

Military option should always be the last option. Make it clear to the mullahs that having the IRGC and its proxies in Syria and other parts of the region must be ended or they will face the consequences. Intensify comprehensive sanctions and above all recognition of the NCRI, the Iranian democratic opposition, should exert real pressure on the mullahs. I believe that the Iranian people and their resistance are capable of bringing about regime change in Iran. The international community and in particular the regional countries must lend their political support to the resistance.

         What is your expectation for the future of the region in terms of best and worst case scenario? 

The worst case is if the regional countries, US and EU once again fail to deal with Iran’s aggressive expansionist policy under the illusion that negotiations with the mullahs will resolve the problem However, I am optimistic that this regime cannot survive for much longer, because the people of Iran want change. The regime is engulfed in serious domestic crises. The mullahs are very vulnerable. On the other hand there is a nationwide resistance and a democratic alternative under Mrs Rajavi’s leadership. Therefore, I believe change in Iran is inevitable and is within reach.