Jerusalem Post columnist urges US to prepare for change of power in Iran
The United States needs not only a policy of pressure on the Islamic Republic of Iran, but also a political action plan in case of a change of power in the country, according to Kamyar Behrang, senior news editor at Iran International. In an op-ed for the Jerusalem Post, he writes that Washington has already used financial and oil sanctions, diplomatic isolation, intelligence operations, military force, and pressure on Iranian proxy networks against Tehran.
In the author’s view, these steps have weakened certain nuclear, missile, maritime, and financial capabilities of the regime, but have not eliminated the political system which, in his assessment, restores them after losses. Behrang believes that the United States should create conditions in which Iranians can change the regime while preserving the Iranian state and its key institutions.
Transition without occupation
The author stresses that this approach does not envisage a US invasion, occupation, or imposing a future government on Iran. The decision on whether the country becomes a republic or a constitutional monarchy must be made by Iranians themselves, he notes. Behrang calls a unified, secular, democratic, and non-nuclear Iran, at peace with the United States, Israel, and Arab neighbors, a desirable strategic goal for the United States.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
The article proposes distinguishing the dismantling of the regime’s ideological structure from the destruction of the state apparatus. The author warns against mass purges of military personnel, civil servants, engineers, police officers, judges, and energy-sector workers solely because they served under the current system. At the same time, in his view, those responsible for killings, torture, corruption, terrorism, and systematic repression must be held accountable with due process observed.
The role of Reza Pahlavi
Behrang refers to Reza Pahlavi’s five-component strategy: maximum pressure on the Islamic Republic, support for Iranians, encouragement for people to leave the regime’s system, organization of Iranian forces, and preparation for reconstruction through the Iran Prosperity Project. According to his description, the project provides for a 180-day emergency period after the Islamic Republic ceases to exist. It covers issues of political authority, security, the banking system, energy, healthcare, water supply, cybersecurity, and economic stabilization.
The author proposes that Washington establish an interagency group in advance to develop scenarios for the security of nuclear facilities, the uninterrupted operation of the energy and banking systems, and the protection of borders and critical infrastructure. He also calls for preparing a mechanism for the phased lifting of sanctions so that, under specified conditions, a transitional government can restore humanitarian trade and access to frozen Iranian assets, banking networks, and energy markets.
