Iran using Hezbollah terrorists, Iraqi militants against protests: US
The United States has expressed its deep concern over the escalating situation in Iran, where the government is reportedly using foreign militant groups to quell the ongoing protests. According to the US, Iran has deployed Hezbollah terrorists and Iraqi militants to “suppress peaceful protests” in the country, a move that has been widely condemned by the international community.
The protests in Iran, which began in November, were sparked by a hike in fuel prices but have since evolved into a broader movement against the government and the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The demonstrations have been marked by violence, with reports of security forces using live ammunition and tear gas to disperse protesters. The death toll has been steadily rising, with hundreds of people killed and thousands more injured.
The US has been vocal in its support for the protesters, with President Donald Trump tweeting his solidarity with the Iranian people. The US has also imposed sanctions on several high-ranking Iranian officials, including Khamenei, in response to the government’s crackdown on the protests.
The deployment of Hezbollah terrorists and Iraqi militants to suppress the protests is a worrying development, according to the US. “This regime has spent billions of dollars belonging to the Iranian people on terrorist proxy forces,” the US said in a statement. “Deploying those forces against its own citizens would be yet another profound betrayal of the Iranian people.”
Hezbollah, a Shia militant group based in Lebanon, has long been a key ally of Iran in the region. The group has been involved in various conflicts, including the Syrian civil war, where it has fought on behalf of the Syrian government. Iraqi militants, on the other hand, have been involved in various insurgent groups, including those affiliated with the Islamic State.
The use of foreign militant groups to suppress domestic protests is a tactic that has been employed by the Iranian government in the past. During the 2009 Green Movement protests, the government used Basij militia, a paramilitary force loyal to the Supreme Leader, to quell the demonstrations. The Basij militia was responsible for numerous human rights abuses, including beatings, arrests, and killings of protesters.
The current protests in Iran have been marked by a similar pattern of violence, with security forces using excessive force to disperse protesters. The deployment of Hezbollah terrorists and Iraqi militants is likely to exacerbate the situation, leading to further bloodshed and instability.
The international community has been critical of Iran’s handling of the protests, with many countries calling for restraint and respect for human rights. The European Union has imposed sanctions on several Iranian officials, citing human rights abuses and the government’s crackdown on the protests.
The US has also been critical of Iran’s actions, with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeting that the “Iranian people deserve respect, dignity, and the freedom to express themselves peacefully.” The US has called on the Iranian government to “respect the human rights of its citizens” and to “end its use of violence against peaceful protesters.”
As the situation in Iran continues to deteriorate, the international community is likely to increase its pressure on the government to respect human rights and end its crackdown on the protests. The deployment of Hezbollah terrorists and Iraqi militants is a worrying development that is likely to lead to further instability and bloodshed.
In conclusion, the US has expressed its deep concern over the situation in Iran, where the government is reportedly using foreign militant groups to quell the ongoing protests. The deployment of Hezbollah terrorists and Iraqi militants to suppress peaceful protests is a betrayal of the Iranian people and a violation of their human rights. The international community must continue to pressure the Iranian government to respect the rights of its citizens and to end its use of violence against peaceful protesters.
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