Word from Tehran is that a law to more strictly enforce the wearing of the hijab has been temporarily shelved after cooler heads in the regime pointed out that such a law would probably lead to street protests.
It doesn't matter. Whether the law is passed or not, the final countdown to end the Iranian terror has begun. It's hard to see how the regime can survive the current state of the economy, the everyday struggle to get the necessities of food and fuel, and the constant, watchful eyes of the regime's morality police who make it impossible for both women and men to live free.
Regime critic Masih Alinejad testified before the Homeland Security Committee on Wednesday and laid out a specific plan for how the West can assist the Iranian people in getting rid of the regime.
"Ending the Islamic Republic is not just a moral imperative but a strategic necessity for peace and stability in the region and beyond. The regime understands only one language: the language of pressure. I am ready to share this roadmap with the new administration" wrote Alinejad on X.
We Need a Roadmap to END the Islamic Republic
— Masih Alinejad 🏳️ (@AlinejadMasih) December 18, 2024
I presented a clear plan to Homeland Security in Congress on how the Biden administration could help Iranians end the Islamic Republic through pressure on the regime and solidarity with the people. Sadly, many opportunities were… pic.twitter.com/hEeHhsxvUX
Iran's current figurehead President Masoud Pezeshkian rejected many of the harsher penalties imposed on women in the new law for failing to wear the hijab and businesses that serve them. He's desperately trying to restart talks with the West on relieving sanctions before the hyperinflation, record unemployment, and crushing interest rates cause the entire rickety edifice to collapse.
Beni Sabti, an Iran watcher at Tel Aviv’s Institute for National Security Studies tells the New York Sun, “Inflation is already causing worker strikes across the country." The International Monetary Fund estimates Iran's inflation rate at more than 30%.
In a nation swimming in oil and suffocating in natural gas, the Iranian authorities cannot keep the lights on. There are frequent interruptions in the electrical service. And because of the interruptions, the water pumps freeze up, making fresh water scarce.
Piling misery on top of misery, a cold snap settled over Tehran, forcing offices, schools, and universities to close shut across the country due to a lack of heating fuel. “Gas reserves are at their minimum level,” said the CEO of Iran's national gas company.
It's no secret which nations are keeping Iran's head above water. China purchases about 15% of its oil imports from Iran, while Russia has been spending billions of dollars buying drones, shells, and missiles from Tehran.
The oil sales are likely to end when Donald Trump takes office. Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign against Tehran almost brought them down in 2016. Iran's oil sales had gone from 2.5 million bbls a day in 2016 to 335,000 bbls a day in 2020. Joe Biden saw to it that they survived. But given all their other challenges, the mullahs have very little room to maneuver.
That's probably why they nixed the new, harsher hijab law.
The new, 74-section law envisages fines of $800 for first offenses and $1,500 for second offenses, followed by prison terms of up to 15 years for third offenses. Also, celebrities and public figures could see the confiscation of 8% of their net worth, while businesses face the possibility of closure and fines for serving those not wearing a headscarf. Travel bans also would have been enacted for offenders.
The law also would have allowed foreign nationals, including the millions of Afghans living in Iran, to work as informers reporting women not wearing the hijab. Business owners and taxi drivers would be encouraged to report on uncovered women. Otherwise, they can face cash fines.
Alinejad told the congressional committee that Iranians don't need an excuse to take to the streets. They're ready to lay it all on the line to take their country back from the religious fanatics.
The regime enforcers will fight tooth and nail to squash any uprising. Every time the street protest erupts and the thugs beat and shoot citizens protesting for a better life, they lose even more legitimacy.
They can't kill everyone. When they realize that, the Iranian regime will collapse just like the Shah's rule ended. Whether it happens sooner or later makes no difference. The end is coming for the fanatics who rule Iran, and they can't do anything to stop it.
