Behind the Headlines

Behind the Headlines – Tuesday 21 August 2019

Jamshid Chalangi:

In tonight’s program we will look at the economic plight of the Iranian people in view of the Tehran regime’s policy of financially supporting its proxies in the region.

What is the main task of the Iranian opposition groups at this important juncture of Iran’s history?

Where do the interests of the Iranian people align with those of the Western governments and how could they come together to help the situation in Iran?

In particular, is Washington’s policy towards the regime in Iran in line with the interests of the Iranian people?

Our guests tonight are Ms Mitra Jashni, Reza Pirzadeh and Babak Shekarabi.

Mitra Jashin:

The recent arbitrary arrests of civil and human rights activists in Iran is an indication that the regime is panicking and is worried about the consequences of the current sporadic opposition voices become a nationwide movement.

In the past the regime would have cracked down on the voices of dissent more carefully but now it is reacting with obvious fear as the public dissatisfaction in the Iranian society is quite widespread.

This regime has lost its self confidence and is divided among many warring factions.

It is so weak and vulnerable that cannot even tolerate a few women removing their hijab and its security forces violently attack people who peacefully support animal rights.

Reza Pirzadeh:

It is quite clear that Iran is going through a very crucial phase in its history and our people are facing numerous socio-economic and political problems, while the ruling regime is falling apart.

At the same time a faction of the regime is pretending that the establishment is capable of reforming itself but they are trying to deceive our people as the history of 40 years of the rule of this regime speaks for itself and tells us that it is not in any way reformable at all.

We must not however wait to see what the regime does to react to it and should continue our struggle to achieve democracy and a secular system of governance for our country.