Kabe

Perhaps we are talking at cross purposes.

I thought it was pretty clear that we were discussing what would happen if the US/Israel overthrew the regime like they did in 1953 and install a modern-day equivalent of the Shah. I wasn’t talking about an actual, grassroots revolution.

I’m sorry, but are you new here?

Surely I don’t have to explain to you how a regime change orchestrated by the US/Israel would necessarily result in a puppet state.

I’m not sure how you’ve come to that conclusion. Aside from Iran’s nuclear development ambitions, which is seen as an existential threat by Israel, Iran has been directly bankrolling both Hamas and Hezbollah for decades.

If the regime were toppled and replaced by a moderate government more open to negotiating with the US/Israel (which would almost certainly be the case, since US/Israel would be the ones picking who ran the new regime), that would be an enormous geopolitical win for Washington.

Human Rights Activists News Agency (Hrana) says it has so far confirmed the killing of at least 6,159 people since the unrest began, including 5,804 protesters, 92 children and 214 people affiliated with the government. It is also investigating 17,000 more reported deaths.

Not wishing to diminish the severity of the situation in Iran, but it’s worth nothing that these numbers come from HRANA, a US government backed NGO, and the organization has been very cagey about its sources and how it verifies its death toll figures.

There are also those within Iran who are accusing US/Israel funded agitators of being largely behind the escalation in violence. Both nations would clearly benefit from regime change, and this wouldn’t be the first time this type of operation has been carried out by US/Israeli agents.

With the information blackout, it’s ultimately very difficult to verify either way.