Shattered myths and unbroken spirit Witnessing the true heart of Iran
Shattered myths and unbroken spirit: Witnessing the true heart of Iran
As I was sitting in the plane about to take off from the Islamabad airport to Tehran, I was thinking about all the stories I'd heard over the years—the endless media narratives painting Iran as a nation in turmoil, its people supposedly rising up against their own government, desperate for outside intervention.
How many times had I seen Western headlines screaming about oppression and unrest? But here I was, invited as a state guest to witness the truth for myself. Little did I know that this journey would shatter every misconception, revealing a resilient, proud, and united Iran that stands tall against decades of external aggression.
Touching down in Tehran, I was immediately struck by the warmth of the welcome. Iranian hospitality is legendary, but experiencing it firsthand as a guest of the state was something else entirely. Officials greeted me with genuine smiles, and the city buzzed with an energy that felt alive and authentic. Tehran isn't just a capital; it's a heartbeat of a civilization that stretches back millennia. From the grand architecture of the Golestan Palace to the bustling bazaars, every corner whispered tales of Persian glory. But the real revelation came on February 11th—22 Bahman in the Persian calendar—the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. I was honored to attend the massive rally commemorating this pivotal moment in Iran's history.
Millions—yes, millions—of Iranians poured onto the streets of Tehran and cities across the nation. It wasn't a forced gathering; it was a spontaneous outpouring of national pride. Families with children waving flags, elders chanting slogans of unity, young people capturing the moment on their phones. The air was filled with chants of "Death to America" not out of blind hatred, but as a defiant stand against imperialism. I walked among them, feeling the pulse of a people who have endured so much yet remain unbreakable. All the myths propagated by Western media—that Iranians are against their government, that they're yearning for “regime change”—crumbled before my eyes. This wasn't propaganda; it was reality. These were ordinary citizens showing unwavering support for their leadership, celebrating a revolution that freed them from the shackles of monarchy and foreign puppetry.
From Tehran, my hosts took me to Esfahan, often called "Half of the World" for its stunning beauty. The Naqsh-e Jahan Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site, left me breathless. The intricate blue tiles of the Imam Mosque shimmered under the sun, a testament to Iran's artistic mastery dating back to the Safavid era. Strolling through the bridges over the Zayandeh River, I felt transported to a time when Persia was the cradle of innovation and culture. Then, to Kashan, with its historic houses like the Tabatabaei House, where every arch and courtyard spoke of elegance and endurance. These cities aren't just tourist spots; they're living museums of a nation that has preserved its heritage despite relentless attempts to erase it.
But it was the conversations with regular Iranians that touched me deepest. In cafes and markets, I spoke to shopkeepers, students, and families. They expressed profound love for their country—a patriotism rooted in history and faith. "Iran is our soul," one young man in Esfahan told me, his eyes lighting up as he described the ancient aqueducts that still sustain life in the desert. Yet, amid this affection, there was honest concern about the economy. Inflation, job scarcity, the daily grind—these are real issues, they admitted. But here's the wisdom that struck me: "If America truly cares about the Iranian people," a woman in Kashan said, echoing sentiments I heard repeatedly, "they should lift the sanctions first. Let us breathe, let our economy flourish for a few years, and then ask us if we want our government removed." It was a profound challenge to the hypocrisy of U.S. policy.
These weren't dissidents; they were loyal citizens pointing out that true concern for human rights wouldn't involve starving a nation into submission.
This love for Iran isn't naive; it's forged in the fire of adversity, much of it inflicted by America. Let's not mince words: the United States has a long, sordid history of atrocities against Iran, both direct and indirect, aimed at undermining its sovereignty. It began in 1953 with Operation Ajax, a CIA-orchestrated coup that overthrew Iran's democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh. Why? Because he nationalized Iran's oil industry, cutting into British and American profits. The U.S. re-installed Mohammad Reza Pahlavi as Shah, propping up his tyrannical regime for decades. Under the Shah, the notorious SAVAK secret police—trained and funded by the CIA and Mossad—unleashed terror on the Iranian people. Thousands were tortured, disappeared, or executed for daring to oppose the monarchy. SAVAK's prisons were chambers of horror, where electric shocks, mock executions, and brutal interrogations crushed dissent. America didn't just turn a blind eye; it actively supported this brutality, all in the name of containing communism and securing oil interests.
Fast forward to the 1979 Revolution, when Iranians rose up and ousted the Shah, establishing the Islamic Republic. Instead of respecting this act of self-determination, the U.S. responded with hostility. During the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), America backed Saddam Hussein's Iraq, providing intelligence, weapons, and even turning a blind eye to chemical attacks on Iranian soldiers and civilians. The USS Vincennes shooting down Iran Air Flight 655 in 1988, killing 290 innocent people including 66 children, was dismissed as a "mistake," with no real accountability. These acts weren't isolated; they were part of a pattern to weaken Iran.
In more recent times, the betrayal of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018 exemplifies America's duplicity. Negotiated under President Obama in 2015, the deal saw Iran limit its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Iran complied fully, as verified by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Yet, under Trump, the U.S. unilaterally withdrew, reimposing crippling sanctions under a "maximum pressure" campaign. This wasn't about nuclear concerns—it was about toppling the Iranian government. The sanctions devastated Iran's economy, causing medicine shortages, skyrocketing inflation, and hardship for millions. Hospitals struggled to import life-saving drugs, leading to unnecessary deaths. If America cared about Iranians, why punish them collectively? The hypocrisy peaks when U.S. officials claim to support the Iranian people while backing figures like Reza Pahlavi, the Shah's son, who romanticizes his father's era. Pahlavi ignores SAVAK's crimes, positioning himself as a "democratic" alternative, all while cozying up to neoconservatives in Washington who dream of reinstalling a puppet.
Even indirectly, America fuels instability. Through proxies like Israel, it has assassinated Iranian scientists, such as Mohsen Fakhrizadeh in 2020, in brazen acts of state terrorism. Support for anti-Iran groups and misinformation campaigns amplify divisions. Yet, despite this onslaught, Iran thrives. Its people have built a self-reliant economy, advanced in science and technology—from nanotechnology to space exploration—and maintained a vibrant culture. Iranian cinema wins Oscars, its poets inspire the world, and its youth innovate under sanctions that would cripple lesser nations.
My trip reinforced that Iran isn't the villain in this story; it's the victim of imperial overreach. The rally I witnessed wasn't just a parade; it was a declaration of independence. The citizens I met aren't oppressed; they're empowered by their faith and history. If the West, led by America, wants peace, it must end the sanctions, respect Iran's sovereignty, and atone for its atrocities. Lift the economic noose, and watch Iran soar even higher.
As I boarded my flight home, I carried not just memories, but a renewed admiration for a nation that embodies resilience. Iran and its people deserve praise, not punishment—they are the true beacons of perseverance in a world of double standards.
Mir Mohammad Alikhan is the first Muslim to have founded an investment bank on Wall Street at the age of 29 years. He has served as the first Muslim Member of the New Jersey Governors’ Council and also as a member of The Republican Presidential Taskforce. Mir also served as an Advisor in President Musharraf’s government from 1999 to 2001. He is an author of 6 books and a few hundred articles globally.
source: tehrantimes.com