ANALYSIS: Unveiling the secrets of Iran’s 1988 massacre

By Heshmat Alavi Special to Al Arabiya EnglishSaturday, 22 July 2017

Q: “Can we blame only the MEK for taking up arms, or did we also make mistakes… for example, attack their gatherings, pressure their members and supporters...?”

Fallahian: “They had such an analysis. [Iranian opposition leader Massoud] Rajavi had maybe written 36 articles against armed conflicts.” (Khazar website – July 18) This is Fallahian acknowledging the fact that the MEK had sought to continue their peaceful political activities. 

The mullahs’ regime, however, dispatched their forces to attack, arrest, torture and kill MEK members. Fallahian moves on to discuss the 1988 mass executions across Iran.

Q: “Did the Intelligence Ministry suggest the 1988 executions to [Iranian regime founder Ruhollah] Khomeini?”

Fallahian: “Khomeini himself ordered it… saying the ruling for all moharebs [term used for MEK members, meaning enemies of God] is execution. There were discussions in this regard back then. 

Mr. Mousavi Tabrizi believed there was no need for prosecution, arguing prosecuting those who are at war with us has no meaning.

 Others believed those arrested should be prosecuted… however, [Khomeini] constantly emphasized to beware they don’t slip out of your hands… [Khomeini] would always say be careful in this regard… how? For example, if there was a confusion about someone being a murderer or not, execution would not be the first option of punishment.

 However, about the MEK [Khomeini] would say an opposite approach is needed. I know them, he would say, they must not slip away and their rulings are execution. This was his constant ruling, before and after the 1988 issue…

Iran's Inactive Population Reaches Over 61% The problem of unemployment and market turmoil, as well as the closure of industrial-manufacturing units, has led to the increase of unemployment level in Iran. Additionally, the sharp inflation of main materials has created such a grave socio-cultural situation, which, according to regime officials, this phenomenon has turned into a security issue.

Iranian women are excluded from the country active work force

IRAN, 20 July 2017-- Iran's Mehr News agency confessed that most of Iran's inactive population consists of young and educated people.

 The news reads, 'The educated population is dissatisfied with the conditions of the job market.

 In fact, these people have stopped looking for a job due to despair or their struggle to find the right job has failed.'

The state-run Mehr News on July 15, 2017, wrote, 'The inactive population has reached over 61% in Iran.'

Support for opposition organizations like the National Council of Resistance of Iran ( NCRI ) and the MEK seems to be on the rise. For example, I and many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle are planning to attend an international convention in Paris, which is expected to draw upwards of 100,000 Iranian expatriates from around the world and will be broadcast live to millions of Iranians.

Mr. Ridge was the nation’s first homeland security secretary and former Pennsylvania governor.

Tehran’s anti-Western rhetoric has intensified, backed up by illicit ballistic missile tests and public declarations of readiness for war by officers of the Iranian military and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

IRGC military and financial support for the murderous Assad regime has continued, as has its arming and funding of the terrorist group Hezbollah in Lebanon. And in Iraq, the regime in Tehran wield more influence than the United States, despite all the blood and treasure we have invested in that country since 2003.

At home, dual nationals have been nabbed and put behind bars for use as bargaining chips. They join thousands of Iranians incarcerated on political charges and subjected to torture during interrogation. Executions take place en masse and with little warning, while other prisoners risk death from abuse and the absence of basic medical care and sanitation.

 

Iran has many similar activities in Albania as it has in Tajikistan, which in one case led to the closure of one its centers in Tajikistan as explained above. For example, apart from providing funds to various Islamic sects in Albania, Iran is controlling Sa’di College, a so-called Persian cultural school in Albania that tries to attract Albanians, teach them Farsi and organize free trips to Iran for students.

Iran Meddling in Small Muslim Countries Surfaces

On Monday, the speaker of the Iranian foreign ministry briefly spoke of his country’s dispute with Tajikistan and said, “our efforts aim to clear the misunderstandings developed in Dushanbe with respect to Tehran.”

Eurasianet.org, which covers news of the region, reported that last week, the Tajikistan authorities order the shut down of an Iranian trade and culture center in Tajikistan’s northern Sughd province. 

They also banned all the works of Ayatollah Khomeini and other famous Iranian clerics. Iran uses such teachings to spread its version of the Islamic Revolution. Iran has also had a very friendly relationship with, as Iranian media report, the leader of the Islamic movement of Tajikistan.

Eurasianet.org reports, “Tehran in December 2015 welcomed Tajik opposition leader Muhiddin Kabiri, who is wanted back home on trumped-up charges of fomenting a plot to topple the government, to an Islamic-themed conference. 

During the same visit, Kabiri met with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei for talks and was pictured as they exchanged warm greetings.”

The movement regarding justice for victims of 1988 massacre rapidly spread and has already shaken the entire regime because all of its factions, both Khamenei and Rouhani have been actively involved in countless crimes against humanity committed against the people of Iran.

I strongly believe that both goals are within reach. Regime change and a free Iran are, indeed, more possible than ever.

The 1988 massacre is no longer an issue limited to the victims’ families. It is a deep wound at the core of Iranian society that can no longer be overlooked.

Public opinion pressure to hold the regime accountable, has confronted mullahs with an impasse as both factions are unsuccessfully trying to suppress or contain this movement.In this situation, the justice-seeking movement has further deepened the gap within the regime and undermined the entire regime.

It has also made the force for change in Iran stronger with the younger generation joining the rank of resistance.On the other hand, the destructive role of the Iranian regime in the region, including its active participation in crimes against humanity in Syria or its sectarian approach in Iraq are established facts.

Therefore I warn that failure to expel the mullahs’ regime and its proxies from Syria or allowing its proxies in Iraq to dominate the situation there, will lead to more tragic crises. 

The US, the UK and Europe must be united in the adoption of a firm policy against the regime in Tehran.

Practical steps must be taken, including the designation of the Revolutionary Guards (or the IRGC) as a terrorist entity.

Short term economic interests should not lead to turning a blind eye on realities.

THREAT: Rudy Giuliani issued a stark warning about Iran. Mr Giuliani said: “Iran is our biggest enemy, Iran is our fiercest enemy. It is the greatest danger to freedom in the world. “Our long term danger is Iran.

“Our long term danger is Iran.

Mr Giuliani was attending a rally in Paris organised by the People’s Mojahedin Organisation of Iran (PMOI), which is the largest and most active opposition movement to the regime.

The Paris-based group supports a totally secular political system in the hardline Islamic country.

“Iran [is] a bigger threat than North Korea, it is expanding into an empire. North Korea is contained.

“They have more technological capability and they have what is truly an insane regime.
“In North Korea, we’re not sure about Kim Jong-un and we do have the hope that China can contain him.

Last year, Europe and the United States, under President Barack Obama, lifted sanctions – including oil and financial penalties – placed on the country over its expanding nuclear programme.

They also unfroze approximately $100billion of its assets after inspectors said crucial parts of its nuclear capabilities had been dismantled – something the PMOI claims is a lie.
Urging the reintroduction of sanctions, Mr Giuliani said the US has the power to tighten the noose around the regime.

He said that because three-quarters of substantial global trade is done via American banks, Iran could be squeezed financially to such an extent it would spark major unrest in the country.

Investors should be extremely cautious about doing business with Iran. Having assisted numerous profitable international companies in the region, I would strongly argue that at the moment, the risks of making long-term investments in Iran outweigh the benefits.

THE RISKS OF DOING BUSINESS WITH IRAN

The first major risk is linked to Washington’s Iran policy. US pressure and sanctions on Tehran will likely continue to escalate, affecting American and non-American companies.

 The US may re-impose its sanctions bill that targets non-American companies doing business with Iran. If a company does business with both countries, its investments could be in peril. 

Quitting Iran’s market would not be easy for those with long-term investments.

The second danger concerns political stability. Most of the young population are disenchanted with the ruling clerics. 

This, and increasing regional pressure from a united front of Arab states and the US, do not provide a ripe environment for investors to do business with Iran.

The US may re-impose its sanctions bill that targets non-American companies doing business with Iran. If a company does business with both countries, its investments could be in peril.