Regime Change in Iran: Why it could benefit Pakistan economically and politically
The US and Israel have called for a regime change in Iran. The continuous economic pressure, the relentless operations, the assassination of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei all signal a desperate attempt to reach a resolution as Iran has existed for decades in hostility to the United States and Israel. It is without a doubt that the theocratic Shia regime in Iran reigns supreme with overwhelming support amongst its own people due to its politico-religious significance and an overall anti-Western sentiment.
In the past few years, Iran has had particularly unstable relations with the West, especially the United States. This along with Iran’s continuous alleged support and funding of Hezbollah in Lebanon has destabilized the Middle East, created divide and weakened common Islamic unity in the region. Yemen’s Houthi rebel group and its alliance with Iran has also threatened peace and security in Saudi Arabia thereby fracturing politico-religious influence over the Middle East. It is safe to say that Iran is majorly responsible for the divide in the Muslim World today.
In January of 2024, Iran’s hostility spilled over Pakistan as well as Iran launched missile strikes targeting Baloch separatist groups in Balochistan. In response, Pakistan military gave a comprehensive response which resulted in immediate negotiations and de-escalation. This incident is only two years old yet the common citizen supporting the current Iranian regime and going out of their way to protest and incite violence have conveniently forgotten this.
The political divide in Pakistan is therefore clear. Priorities do not lie with Pakistan for many Pakistani citizens, and many believe lives should rather be lost aimlessly by violently protesting in Pakistan rather than understand the need for calm and peace, restraint and patience.
When President of the U.S. Donald Trump called for ‘single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country’ following the death of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, it really rang true with the current political and social upheaval that has not only affected Iran but the entirety of the Middle East along with Pakistan. To many supporters of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the return of the Shah of Iran or a similar or even a less extreme regime signals the rise of a puppet state. However, what the people do not realize is that it also brings cooperation with the west, trade and economic opportunities as well as more stable and lasting peace.
Our article written yesterday regarding the stock market crash situation also proves how Iran’s hostilities in the Middle East has economically and financially affected Pakistan and Pakistanis. It has also indirectly caused internal social strife in many regions of Pakistan such as Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Gilgit Baltistan and more causing many deaths and injuries in multiple protest dispersing police encounters.
Such social upheaval is unnecessary and uncalled for during the month of Ramadan and the quicker the regime changes in Iran, the more Pakistan will recover socially and economically as will those countries in the Middle East that have been targeted for stationing U.S. troops.
Although it is harsh to call for a regime change in Iran as it signals the call for decisive victory of the United States and Israel, it is worth noting that the current Iranian regime has isolated itself by exporting its hostilities to bystander nations, thereby making sympathies impossible based on logic alone as well as ground realities.
To check out our expert analysis on the ongoing Iranian Conflict, check out our extensive article here. Additionally, the Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict has also been extensively and accurately covered with expert analysis here.
