Is USA Hoping that New Regime in Iran Will Stop Development of Nuclear Weapons?

Is everyone tired of Iran’s current president? Our favorite denier of the Holocaust and anti-Israeli, Mr. Ahmadinejad is running again for re-election to a second term. Nevertheless, he has some tough competition. The first round election occurs in mid June: on the 12^th. It is as close to democracy as it gets in Iran. Najmeh Bozorgmehr reported in the FINANACIAL TIMES (June 3) on the election for Iranian president. The president faces a formidable reform opponent.

Mr. Mir-Hussein Moussavi, a former prime minister, is the reform candidate. He is attacking the fundamentalist, nationalistic government of Ahmadinejad. He is pointing to Iran’s poor international image and stature in the world all brought on by the current government. Mr. Moussavi is getting much support from the young students who make up most of the voters. He is also attracting the middle class voter as well. Other conservative politicians support Moussavi. Former presidents like the reformist M. Khatami and the conservative Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani, both back him. Other conservative and even some fundamentalists are throwing support to him. Indeed, the fundamentalist mayor of Tehran supports him also. This alliance backs Moussavi for one reason: they all agree the current president must be removed. However, many others may fear to come forward because they worry they may upset the grand leader, the Ayatollah. He favors the current president. This will give Ahmadinejad millions of votes in support from the radical groups.

Campaigners are covering the city daily and encountering the potential voters to encourage their participation in the election. They feel the country wants a change.

No matter, the battle is uphill. The current president has the government minions behind him. He has the press and media automatically as his mouth piece. Much of his support comes from the rural poor where his money is poured out in cheap loans and gifts. Many of the poor are intrigued by the money flow and look for more. Millions have benefitted from his generosity. He promised to pay out shares and dividends of companies to many of the poor residents. He is also popular among teachers: he gave them a raise.

The country of Iran has significant economic problems. When oil prices were high, they had money. Now it is much lower and their income has fallen while inflation has risen to 24%. Moreover, gasoline was impossible to get in Iran. There is incompetence in the regime that runs the oil business. The Iranian president reiterated today that the Holocaust was a “Big Deception.” This drew the ire of France’s Sarkozy. Israel called for more and harsher sanctions against Iran as well. But the final question we raise is this: How much do North Korea’s brazen nuclear actions encourage Iran? Has the US administration, as some are now declaring, decided to let Iran go forward with the development of nuclear weapons?