My Sept 26 @Jerusalem_Post article issued a critical warning to Israeli and Western strategists: Do not jeopardize the historic, civilizational bond with the Iranian people by flirting with marginal, transnational separatist factions. Predictably, the piece provoked a flurry of angry, highly personalized reactions from anonymous quarters and regionalist echo chambers.
In my latest article, I responded to their so-called counter-arguments.
I referenced Bistun and Taq-e Bostan in Kermanshah to highlight an undeniable civilizational continuity proving that for over 2,500 years, this region has been a foundational pillar of Iranian civilization. I reiterated that the patriotic majority must be separated from transnational separatists, who deliberately erase patriotic Kurds, including those in Kermanshah and Ilam, from the narrative.
Armed regional factions were an active part of the disastrous 1979 coalition, alongside Islamists, Marxists, and Mossadeghists that brought down the nation.
Leaders like Abdul Rahman Ghassemlou openly pledged allegiance to Khomeini, only to later clash over spoils of the revolution when the Islamists turned around and purged them.
I raised the question why did they exploit the country’s chaotic vulnerability just days after February 11, 1979, the exact day the previous regime fell and the Islamists seized power? Specifically, on February 20, 1979, a mere nine days after the revolution, armed factions aggressively raided and looted the national army garrison in Mahabad, assassinating its commander and stealing heavy weaponry, including tanks, heavy artillery pieces, and thousands of rifles. They then marched on Sanandaj.
I asked the Israeli public: Would your government ever tolerate a so-called political faction that raids an IDF base and assassinates its commander?
These transnational separatist movements have no answer to the historical fact that Abdullah Ocalan operated as an Assad proxy, and the PKK fought directly against Israel in Lebanon in 1982. Yet, many separatists revere Ocalan as a leader, and certain armed groups operating inside Iran are direct branches of this PKK network.
Finally, I emphasized that the Islamic Republic is a structural evil committing atrocities against the entire Iranian nation. Separatist groups have no right to weaponize collective regional suffering to legitimize their own armed secessionist ambitions. This is a shared national struggle against a common oppressor.
Yesterday's horrific attack on the King Khalid airport in Riyadh is the latest proof that the regime in Tehran will never seek peace. Since 1979, whether directly or through its proxies, it has waged war on the Kingdom and sought instability.
I express my condolences to King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, and the people of Saudi Arabia at the lives lost in this terrorist attack. The Houthis and their campaign of chaos will end when Iran is free and the friendly relations between our two countries are restored.