The American army attacked 3 Iranian atomic objects at night. According to U.S. president Donald Trump, they were completely destroyed. Trump threatened further attacks if Tehran was not ready to make peace.
Iranian abroad Minister Abbas Araghchi reacted harshly to US attacks. His country reserves all the possibilities of self-defence, explained Araghchi on the X portal. American attacks called "disgusting".
On June 18, the highest leader of the muslim Republic of Iran Ali Chamenei, said after Israeli attacks, "Iran will not surrender and will proceed to defend himself." With these words, Chamenei addressed the public in a tv talk. It's not clear precisely where it is.
As of June 13, Israel has been bombing military and atomic facilities in Iran. The attacks are aimed at stopping Tehran from developing an atomic bomb. Iran responded by rocket attacks and drones in Israeli territory. Among the Iranian population there are now rumours that Chamenei – as well as high-ranking Revolutionary defender officials – may besides be the mark of Israeli attacks.
U.S. attack on Iran. A chance to change?
For many, 1 question is now raised first: how can a government that cannot defend even its own highest officials say it protects the territorial integrity of the country? For Iran's expert Majid Golpour, who lives on emigration, the answer is clear: "In contrast to all claims concerning rocket defence or the protection of leaders, the absolute deficiency of effectiveness of this government has just been demonstrated," he wrote asked by the DW.
According to the sociologist Golpour, whether the ongoing attacks can foretell the collapse of the government depends primarily on whether there is simply a credible political alternative. "It is time for national political forces to present a common charter – both against the ruling strategy and external threats. However, so far there are no concrete plans, coalitions and real structures within the opposition."
What's the alternative?
The Iranian opposition abroad is divided. Part of the diaspora sees Reza Pahlawa, the eldest boy of chess Mohammad Reza Pahlawa, who was overthrown in 1979 as a possible transitional figure or symbol of national unity. Since the muslim Revolution, he has been surviving in exile – mainly in the US – and acts as an opposition figure to the muslim Republic. However, it has no political organisation in the country.
Opposition voices have been systematically suppressed in Iran for decades. Anyone who appears to be able to mobilize people is discredited, watched, arrested and frequently sentenced to lengthy prison sentences.
Nevertheless, the political scientist Shukriya Bradost, a investigator at the Institute of the mediate East, sees a chance. If the government is severely weakened, a political vacuum may arise. This would be an chance for opposition groups to organise protests and strikes and to initiate fundamental changes.
Patriotic attachment to the country
The decisive origin in this script is the patriotic attachment of many Iranians to their country, which may be in the hands of the current ruling. This feeling has already helped the government stabilise after the 1979 Revolution. erstwhile Iraq led by Saddam Hussein attacked Iran in the fall of 1980, the population united behind the country. Later there was an eight-year war in which as many as a million people died on the Iranian side.
It is hard to realize what many people in Iran presently feel beyond fear and anger due to the escalation of a conflict that they have no influence on. Although there are many critical voices in the country against the regime, many reject the recommendations from exile.
The West appears to be divided on the issue of Iran's policy. Despite the harsh rhetoric towards Tehran, there is no coherent strategy for a possible government change.
