A STRATEGIC MISTAKE BY the AYATOLLAH AND CRONIES?

The Islamic Republic of Iran is reported to have directed its proxy, Lebanese Hezbollah, to launch a rocket into Israel, tragically killing 12 young soccer players.

Prime Minister Netanyahu's government promptly attributed the attack to Lebanese Hezbollah, a designated terrorist organization and a significant proxy of the Islamic Republic. Netanyahu vowed swift and severe retaliation against those responsible.

"Citizens of Israel, like you, I was horrified to see the terrible images following Hezbollah's murderous attack on Majdal Shams," Netanyahu declared. Defense Minister Gallant expressed similar outrage, stating, "Hezbollah is responsible for this, and they will pay the price," adding, "We will hit the enemy hard."

The escalation coincides with two significant developments: the reported elimination of Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas leader, in Tehran and the inauguration of Iran's so-called reformist president, Pezashkian, appointed by the Ayatollah. While the former seems to send a direct message to Iran and its allies, Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement.

These developments raise a crucial question: Did the Ayatollah and his regime miscalculate strategically by allegedly initiating the 7 October attack on Israel? It’s vital to note that it is not Iran or its people confronting Israel and the West but the Ayatollah and his proxies. Their actions reflect desperation rather than strength, as they fight for survival against a growing movement of Iranians seeking freedom and democratic governance.

The Ayatollah's recent actions, including appointing a reformist president and the suspicious helicopter crash involving former President Raeisi, signal nervousness and anticipation of a grim future. The regime's strategic error lies in underestimating Israel and its Western allies. The Ayatollah’s Shiite version of ISIS pursues nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles while exploiting Iran’s resources and holding its people hostage to fund terrorism, threatening regional and global stability.

The conflict traces back to 7 October 2023, when Hamas launched attacks on Israel, killing approximately 1,200 civilians and capturing 251 hostages. This triggered retaliatory actions involving Israel and Iran’s proxies, such as Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Iraqi militias. The groundwork for these events may have been laid months earlier during Reza Pahlavi’s visit to Israel, where discussions hinted at impending changes and a free Iran.

Fast forward to today, Israel and Western nations face a critical juncture, akin to their decisive actions against Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Just as there was no alternative but to confront Putin, the same principle applies to the Islamic Shiite State (ISS), entrenched in Iran for 45 years.

The challenge lies not in toppling the Ayatollah’s regime but in managing the aftermath, particularly the potential chaos and regional instability affecting neighboring countries like Turkey, Iraq, Azerbaijan, and Afghanistan. Meanwhile, the regime continues its brutal repression of Iranian citizens, murdering children, abducting families, and diverting wealth to fund terrorism.

The central question remains: Can the U.S. and its allies afford to allow the Ayatollahs to acquire nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles?

The answer is unequivocally NO.