Israel Could Wipe Iran Off the Face of the Earth
by Bobby Darvish
darvishintelligence.blogspot.com
For those of us who have fled Iran, the notion that Israel could “wipe Iran off the face of the earth” is not something we take lightly. Born into an Iranian family and raised as a Muslim, I have experienced firsthand the pain inflicted by the Islamic Republic on its people and the horrific repression in the name of Islam. As an ex-Muslim, now a proud Christian and Latter-day Saint, I understand the complex tensions in the Middle East and the threats that the Iranian regime has posed to Israel and to its own people. For me, these issues are deeply personal. Israel’s stance on Iran has taken on a new level of urgency in recent years, with reports suggesting potential strikes on Tehran that could neutralize the threat Iran’s government poses to its neighbors and global stability.
A Theocratic Regime Rooted in Violence
Since the 1979 revolution, the Iranian regime has systematically pursued a policy of repression, violence, and anti-Western ideology. Iran’s Supreme Leader and the mullahs dictate a theocratic state governed by Sharia law, which silences dissent and persecutes those who refuse to submit to their radical ideology. Growing up in that environment, I witnessed brutal tactics used against Iranians who spoke out. I was harassed, threatened, and later, like so many others, I fled to America, grateful for the freedom to practice Christianity openly. Yet, the regime’s reach has extended beyond its borders, spreading its fundamentalist influence across the Middle East.
The regime’s militant arm, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), has for decades funded and trained various terrorist organizations, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, and has exported theocratic terror across the Middle East. This growing regional hegemony has understandably drawn Israel’s ire. For Israel, these threats are existential, and for those who know the destructive nature of the Iranian government, Israel’s preemptive posture makes sense.
Israel’s Resolve and Strategic Necessity
In recent years, Israel has demonstrated that it will not tolerate Iran’s encroachment on its borders and the existential threats posed by the mullahs. From cyber-attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities to pinpoint airstrikes on Iranian arms shipments, Israel has pursued a carefully calibrated strategy to undermine Iran’s nuclear ambitions. This tactic aligns with its long-held “Begin Doctrine,” which states that Israel will not allow hostile neighbors to develop weapons of mass destruction.
Iran’s threats to “wipe Israel off the map” have been met with Israel’s own resolve, underscored by statements that, should the Iranian regime escalate its nuclear program, Israel would be forced to take severe measures to neutralize the threat. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), with their advanced technology and tactical expertise, are fully capable of carrying out such a strike on Tehran if the situation demands it. When Ayatollah Khamenei calls for “death to Israel” or Iran continues developing ballistic missiles with the clear aim of targeting Tel Aviv, Israel’s leaders cannot ignore these threats.
The U.S. and Western Allies: Torn Between Diplomacy and Reality
The West, particularly the United States, has vacillated in its stance on Iran. From the disastrous Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) to more recent sanctions, the U.S. has sought to contain Iran through diplomacy rather than force. As an Iranian-American, I understand the desire for a peaceful resolution. However, it is clear that no amount of appeasement will satisfy the regime, which interprets Western concessions as weaknesses to exploit. Israel’s readiness to take matters into its own hands underscores its understanding that waiting for the West to act could endanger its citizens.
As a former Iranian Muslim who has embraced Christianity and the values of the West, I can affirm that Iran’s government has no intention of making peace with Israel or the United States. The regime’s very foundation is built on opposing the West and silencing any voice that challenges its dogma. For the Iranian mullahs, Israel represents a moral and ideological threat. They have chosen to prioritize an irrational hatred over the well-being of the Iranian people. The true tragedy is that Iranian citizens, many of whom seek peace with Israel, are held hostage by a regime obsessed with conflict and religious dominance.
Why Israel’s Actions are Justified
Critics might argue that Israel’s potential strikes on Tehran would only destabilize the region further, but as someone who has been targeted by the Iranian government, I know that peace with Iran is not an option while the regime stands. Israel’s actions are defensive, aimed at protecting its citizens from a state that has proven time and again its willingness to fund terror, destabilize governments, and threaten entire populations. For Israelis, the risk of Iranian nuclear weapons is a direct existential threat. Iran’s development of missile technology and its enrichment of uranium close to weapons-grade levels are indicators that this threat is not speculative; it is imminent.
Israel and Iran’s People: Potential Allies Against a Tyrannical Regime
One important distinction to make is that Iran’s government does not represent the will of its people. Many Iranians, including myself, admire Israel’s values, its thriving democracy, and its courage in standing up to tyranny. There is growing solidarity between Iranians who have suffered under the Islamic regime and Israelis who live under the threat of its aggression. This shared experience of suffering at the hands of a brutal regime is the bridge that can bring these peoples closer.
The Iranian government’s propaganda demonizes Israel to distract Iranians from the harsh realities of their own repression. Iranian people, however, are increasingly aware of this manipulation and have begun protesting the regime’s actions and foreign policy. I stand with those brave Iranians who resist their government’s oppressive policies, and I pray for the day when Iran and Israel might become peaceful allies.
Conclusion: The Right to Self-Defense
Israel’s right to self-defense is undeniable. For Israel, taking a firm stance is a matter of survival, not aggression. As an Iranian-American, I feel deep sorrow for the prospect of violence in my homeland. Yet, I know firsthand that Iran’s current regime leaves Israel with few options. If it becomes necessary for Israel to strike Tehran to protect its people from nuclear annihilation, then Israel has not only the right but the moral imperative to do so. The world should stand with Israel in this, just as we should stand with the people of Iran who are also oppressed by this tyrannical government.
We must remember that the ultimate enemy here is not Israel or the Iranian people but the theocratic regime holding Iran hostage. The threat posed by Iran’s leadership is not just to Israel but to freedom and peace-loving people worldwide. It is my hope and prayer that one day, both nations can live side by side, free from the specter of radicalism that currently defines Iran’s leadership. Until that day, Israel’s right to protect its people remains unassailable, and we should support them in their quest for safety and peace.
References
- Katz, Yaakov. Shadow Strike: Inside Israel's Secret Mission to Eliminate Syrian Nuclear Power. St. Martin's Press, 2019.
- Rezaei, Farhad. Iran's Foreign Policy After the Nuclear Agreement: Politics of Normalizers and Traditionalists. Springer, 2018.
- Levitt, Matthew. "Hezbollah: The Global Footprint of Lebanon's Party of God." Georgetown University Press, 2015.
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