Latest news with #IslamicRevolutionaryGuardCorps
The Herald Scotland
37 minutes ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Israel weakened Iranian regime. Iran must rise up against it
But within this dangerous situation lies an unprecedented opportunity - one that the Iranian people intend to capitalize on and the international community cannot afford to miss. The regime's response will be brutal. It is a wounded animal and is already lashing out by arresting and attacking Iranians. The regime's response to Israel's strikes on nuclear facilities and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps leadership reveals everything the world needs to know about those who have hijacked my beloved Iran. While claiming to defend Iranian sovereignty, they have systematically destroyed it. While promising strength, they have made Iran weaker and more isolated than ever. This was not Iran's war - it was Ali Khamenei's. It was the response of a desperate, flailing regime. Iranian people fill me with pride For more than four decades, I have advocated for nonviolent civil disobedience as the path to Iran's liberation. I have watched with immense pride as the Iranian people have risen time and again - in 1999, 2009, 2017, 2019 and most recently in 2022, after the death of Mahsa Amini while in custody of the "morality police." Each uprising has grown stronger, each protest has been more unified and each time, more voices have joined the call for fundamental change. The regime's foundation is cracking, and these recent military exchanges might have weakened it to the point of collapse. The Islamic Republic is profoundly weak. Behind the bluster and ballistic missiles lies a regime that has lost the support of its own people. Iranian protesters chant for the end of the Islamic Republic, desperately hoping for support to end this theocratic system. They know that external strikes - whether from Israel, the United States or another nation - will not achieve the fundamental transformation Iran needs. Real change must come from within. It must come from the Iranian people themselves, through coordinated nationwide strikes, sustained civil disobedience and mass demonstrations that make it impossible for this regime to function. The power to liberate Iran lies not in foreign militaries, but in the hands of Iranian workers, students, women and all those who dream of freedom. That is why the international community's support is so crucial at this pivotal moment. The world must impose maximum pressure on the regime while offering maximum support to the Iranian people. Opinion: I fled Iran as a child. Regime change will come only when the world allows it. This means comprehensive sanctions that target regime officials and their economic networks, while ensuring internet access reaches ordinary Iranians. It means amplifying the voices of Iranian civil society and providing secure communication tools that allow protesters to organize safely. It means diplomatic isolation of the regime while maintaining channels of support for the democratic opposition. The timing has never been more favorable. The regime is internally divided, economically weakened and internationally isolated. Its military commanders know that continuing this path leads to destruction. The officers and Revolutionary Guardsmen who reach out to me understand that their survival depends on abandoning Khamenei's failing leadership. Even regime insiders are beginning to consider whether their interests lie with a declining theocracy or a new, democratic Iran. Iranians are ready to take to the streets But windows of opportunity do not remain open indefinitely. The Iranian people are ready to finish what they have started in their previous rounds of protests. They are prepared to take to the streets in numbers that will dwarf previous uprisings. What they need now is the knowledge that the world stands with them - not with empty words, but with concrete actions that tip the balance decisively in their favor. The international community must understand that supporting the Iranian people's struggle for freedom is not just a moral imperative - it is a strategic necessity. Opinion: I survived war in Iran. There are millions like me whose lives are not theoretical. A democratic Iran would end the proxy wars that have destabilized the Middle East for decades. It would eliminate the nuclear threat that keeps the region on edge. It would restore Iran to its rightful place as a force for stability and progress rather than chaos and destruction. The regime leaders' decision to escalate this conflict with Israel demonstrates their complete disregard for Iranian lives and interests. They are willing to risk everything to preserve their grip on power. This recklessness should serve as a final wake-up call to anyone who still believes this regime can be reformed or reasoned with. Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store. Today's missiles may capture the world's attention, but tomorrow's freedom will be won in Iran's streets, factories and universities. The Iranian people have shown repeatedly that they possess the courage to confront tyranny. Now they need the international community to match their bravery with moral courage and meaningful support. The regime is weak. The people are ready. The moment is here. Let us not allow it to pass. Iran will be free, and when it is, the entire Middle East will be more peaceful and secure. The world must choose: Continue to manage this crisis, or help the Iranian people end it once and for all. Reza Pahlavi is the crown prince of Iran. He has advocated from exile for nonviolent resistance to Iran's Islamic Republic for more than four decades.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'Get that throbbing feeling once in a while': Donald Trump recalls assassination attempts; calls presidency 'dangerous business'
US President on Friday reflected on threats to his life while addressing a key court decision that expands his administration's policy-making powers. During a White House media briefing, Trump recalled an incident from July 13, 2024, when a bullet grazed his ear during a campaign event in Pennsylvania. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "I get that throbbing feeling every once in a while," he said. "But you know what? That's okay. This is a dangerous business." The remarks came as the Republican president acknowledged a Supreme Court ruling that curtails federal judges' ability to issue nationwide injunctions against executive policies, a decision seen as a major victory for his administration. Drawing comparisons to other high-risk professions, Trump added, "You have race car drivers as an example, 1/10 of 1% die. Bull riders, 1/10 of 1%. That's not a lot, but it's — people die. When you're president, it's about 5%. If somebody would have told me that, maybe I wouldn't have run. Okay? This is, this is a very dangerous profession." Historically, four US presidents have been assassinated while in office, and several others- including candidates- have survived gunshot wounds. Trump himself has faced multiple threats. Law enforcement agencies say he survived an assassination attempt on September 15, 2024, while golfing in West Palm Beach, Florida. The suspect, who faces five federal charges, has pleaded not guilty. In the July shooting incident, Secret Service agents killed the assailant. One person attending the rally was killed, and two others were injured. The US government has also accused Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of plotting to assassinate Trump. Iran, whose nuclear sites were targeted by US military strikes last weekend, has denied the allegation. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Now in his second term, Trump has pushed for greater executive authority, targeted political rivals, and pledged to take action against opponents. Meanwhile, on the international front, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo on Friday agreed to a US-brokered peace accord aimed at ending a violent conflict that has claimed thousands of lives and displaced hundreds of thousands in 2025. The US is currently experiencing its most prolonged period of political violence since the 1970s. According to Reuters, more than 300 politically motivated violent incidents have occurred since Trump supporters stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
USA Today
4 hours ago
- Politics
- USA Today
Iran crown prince: Israel weakened Iran regime. World must help finish the job
The international community's support of the Iranian people is crucial. The world must impose maximum pressure on the regime while offering maximum support to Iranians. The Islamic Republic once again dragged Iran into a war that was not ours. The missiles that flew between Tehran and Tel Aviv in recent days were the inevitable consequence of 46 years of terrorism, proxy warfare and reckless nuclear blackmail by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his regime. But within this dangerous situation lies an unprecedented opportunity − one that the Iranian people intend to capitalize on and the international community cannot afford to miss. The regime's response will be brutal. It is a wounded animal and is already lashing out by arresting and attacking Iranians. The regime's response to Israel's strikes on nuclear facilities and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps leadership reveals everything the world needs to know about those who have hijacked my beloved Iran. While claiming to defend Iranian sovereignty, they have systematically destroyed it. While promising strength, they have made Iran weaker and more isolated than ever. This was not Iran's war − it was Ali Khamenei's. It was the response of a desperate, flailing regime. Iranian people fill me with pride For more than four decades, I have advocated for nonviolent civil disobedience as the path to Iran's liberation. I have watched with immense pride as the Iranian people have risen time and again − in 1999, 2009, 2017, 2019 and most recently in 2022, after the death of Mahsa Amini while in custody of the "morality police." Each uprising has grown stronger, each protest has been more unified and each time, more voices have joined the call for fundamental change. The regime's foundation is cracking, and these recent military exchanges might have weakened it to the point of collapse. The Islamic Republic is profoundly weak. Behind the bluster and ballistic missiles lies a regime that has lost the support of its own people. Iranian protesters chant for the end of the Islamic Republic, desperately hoping for support to end this theocratic system. They know that external strikes − whether from Israel, the United States or another nation − will not achieve the fundamental transformation Iran needs. Real change must come from within. It must come from the Iranian people themselves, through coordinated nationwide strikes, sustained civil disobedience and mass demonstrations that make it impossible for this regime to function. The power to liberate Iran lies not in foreign militaries, but in the hands of Iranian workers, students, women and all those who dream of freedom. That is why the international community's support is so crucial at this pivotal moment. The world must impose maximum pressure on the regime while offering maximum support to the Iranian people. Opinion: I fled Iran as a child. Regime change will come only when the world allows it. This means comprehensive sanctions that target regime officials and their economic networks, while ensuring internet access reaches ordinary Iranians. It means amplifying the voices of Iranian civil society and providing secure communication tools that allow protesters to organize safely. It means diplomatic isolation of the regime while maintaining channels of support for the democratic opposition. The timing has never been more favorable. The regime is internally divided, economically weakened and internationally isolated. Its military commanders know that continuing this path leads to destruction. The officers and Revolutionary Guardsmen who reach out to me understand that their survival depends on abandoning Khamenei's failing leadership. Even regime insiders are beginning to consider whether their interests lie with a declining theocracy or a new, democratic Iran. Iranians are ready to take to the streets But windows of opportunity do not remain open indefinitely. The Iranian people are ready to finish what they have started in their previous rounds of protests. They are prepared to take to the streets in numbers that will dwarf previous uprisings. What they need now is the knowledge that the world stands with them − not with empty words, but with concrete actions that tip the balance decisively in their favor. The international community must understand that supporting the Iranian people's struggle for freedom is not just a moral imperative − it is a strategic necessity. Opinion: I survived war in Iran. There are millions like me whose lives are not theoretical. A democratic Iran would end the proxy wars that have destabilized the Middle East for decades. It would eliminate the nuclear threat that keeps the region on edge. It would restore Iran to its rightful place as a force for stability and progress rather than chaos and destruction. The regime leaders' decision to escalate this conflict with Israel demonstrates their complete disregard for Iranian lives and interests. They are willing to risk everything to preserve their grip on power. This recklessness should serve as a final wake-up call to anyone who still believes this regime can be reformed or reasoned with. Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store. Today's missiles may capture the world's attention, but tomorrow's freedom will be won in Iran's streets, factories and universities. The Iranian people have shown repeatedly that they possess the courage to confront tyranny. Now they need the international community to match their bravery with moral courage and meaningful support. The regime is weak. The people are ready. The moment is here. Let us not allow it to pass. Iran will be free, and when it is, the entire Middle East will be more peaceful and secure. The world must choose: Continue to manage this crisis, or help the Iranian people end it once and for all. Reza Pahlavi is the crown prince of Iran. He has advocated from exile for nonviolent resistance to Iran's Islamic Republic for more than four decades. You can read diverse opinions from our USA TODAY columnists and other writers on the Opinion front page, on X, formerly Twitter, @usatodayopinion and in our Opinion newsletter.
NDTV
5 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Trump Calls Being President A "Very Dangerous Profession"
Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday reflected on threats to his life as he celebrated a court ruling that handed his administration sweeping power to pursue his policy agenda. Asked by a reporter about such threats, the Republican suggested that he is occasionally reminded of when he was grazed in the ear by a bullet at a Pennsylvania campaign rally on July 13, 2024. "I get that throbbing feeling every once in a while," Trump said. "But you know what? That's okay. This is a dangerous business." He made the comments during a wide-ranging, impromptu White House press conference scheduled to celebrate the U.S. Supreme Court decision that handed him a major victory by curbing federal judges' power to impose nationwide rulings that block his policies. On Friday, the businessman-turned-politician described the presidency as riskier than some of the most perilous professions. "You have race car drivers as an example, 1/10 of 1% die. Bull riders, 1/10 of 1%. That's not a lot, but it's - people die. When you're president, it's about 5%. If somebody would have told me that, maybe I wouldn't have run. Okay? This is, this is a very dangerous profession." Four of the 45 U.S. presidents have been assassinated. Several more presidents and candidates for the office have been shot. There have been several threats on Trump's life. Law enforcement officials said Trump also survived a September 15, 2024, assassination attempt while he was golfing on his course in West Palm Beach, Florida. The suspect in that incident faces five federal charges and has pleaded not guilty. The July shooting suspect was shot to death by Secret Service agents. One person at the Pennsylvania rally was killed; two others were wounded. The United States has also separately said Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps at one point attempted to assassinate Trump. Iran, whose nuclear facilities were bombed by U.S. forces last weekend, has denied the allegation. Trump, serving his second term in office, has pushed an expansive vision of presidential power, sharply attacked his political foes and vowed retribution against them. The United States is experiencing its most sustained period of political violence since the 1970s. Reuters has documented more than 300 cases of politically motivated violent acts since Trump supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
India Today
8 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
Trump says presidency is a very dangerous profession, riskier than bull riding
US President Donald Trump, during an unscheduled press briefing at the White House on Friday, reflected on the dangers of holding the nation's highest office. His remarks came as he celebrated a major US Supreme Court ruling that limits the authority of federal judges to block presidential policies with nationwide to reporters, Trump mentioned he occasionally feels physical reminders of the July 13, 2024, incident when a bullet grazed his ear during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. "I get that throbbing feeling every once in a while," he said. "But you know what? That's okay. This is a dangerous business."advertisementTrump compared the dangers of being president to other dangerous professions. "You have race car drivers as an example, 1/10 of 1 per cent die. Bull riders, 1/10 of 1 per cent . That's not a lot, but it's - people die. When you're president, it's about 5%. If somebody would have told me that, maybe I wouldn't have run. Okay? This is, this is a very dangerous profession." Among the 45 US presidents, four have been assassinated, and some have endured severe threats or assaults. Trump is in his second term and has been targeted with numerous threats throughout and following his election ASSASSINATION ATTEMPTS In addition to the July incident, Trump allegedly evaded another assassination attempt on September 15, 2024, while golfing at his West Palm Beach resort. The perpetrator in that incident faces five federal charges and has pleaded not guilty. The July shooter, in turn, was killed by Secret Service agents after he opened fire during the Pennsylvania event when one of the attendees was killed and two others were WITH IRAN Trump also cited past intelligence that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had planned to assassinate him, something Tehran denies. This is just days after US attacks on Iranian nuclear presidency has been characterised by vigorous rhetoric against political adversaries and a larger effort to increase executive power. On the basis of an investigation by Reuters, over 300 politically motivated acts of violence have happened in the U.S. since January 6, 2021, when a mob attacked the Capitol representing an intensely polarised and combustible period in American politics.- EndsWith inputs from ReutersMust Watch
