Iran using Hezbollah terrorists, Iraqi militants against protests: US
The United States has expressed alarm over reports that Iran has deployed Hezbollah terrorists and Iraqi militants to suppress peaceful protests in the country. The US has condemned the move, stating that it would be a profound betrayal of the Iranian people if the regime were to use these forces against its own citizens.
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 protests have been marked by violence, with security forces using tear gas, water cannons, and live ammunition to disperse the crowds.
The US has been vocal in its support for the protesters, with President Donald Trump warning Khamenei against using violence to quell the demonstrations. 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, as it suggests that the Iranian government is becoming increasingly desperate to maintain its grip on power. Hezbollah, a Shia militant group based in Lebanon, has long been a key ally of the Iranian government, and has been involved in various conflicts in the region, including the Syrian civil war.
The use of Iraqi militants, meanwhile, is a sign that the Iranian government is willing to use any means necessary to suppress the protests, even if it means bringing in foreign fighters. This move is likely to exacerbate tensions between Iran and its neighbors, particularly Iraq, where there have been reports of Iranian-backed militias clashing with Iraqi security forces.
The US has been critical of Iran’s support for militant groups in the region, and has accused the country of using its proxy forces to spread chaos and violence. The deployment of these forces against Iranian citizens is a stark reminder of the regime’s willingness to use violence to maintain its power, and its disregard for the welfare and safety of its own people.
“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.”
The protests in Iran have been marked by widespread human rights abuses, including the use of torture, arbitrary arrests, and extrajudicial killings. The government has also imposed a near-total internet blackout, making it difficult for protesters to communicate and organize.
The international community has been vocal in its condemnation of the Iranian government’s crackdown on the protests, with many countries calling for restraint and an end to the violence. The US has been at the forefront of this effort, using its diplomatic and economic leverage to pressure the Iranian government to respect the rights of its citizens.
As the situation in Iran continues to deteriorate, it is likely that the US will continue to play a key role in supporting the protesters and promoting democracy and human rights in the country. The deployment of Hezbollah terrorists and Iraqi militants to suppress the protests is a worrying development, but it is also a reminder of the importance of international pressure and support for the Iranian people as they struggle for freedom and justice.
In conclusion, the US has expressed alarm over reports that Iran has deployed Hezbollah terrorists and Iraqi militants to suppress peaceful protests in the country. The use of these forces against Iranian citizens would be a profound betrayal of the Iranian people, and a stark reminder of the regime’s willingness to use violence to maintain its power. The international community must continue to speak out against the Iranian government’s crackdown on the protests, and support the Iranian people in their struggle for democracy and human rights.