Ambassador Yoram Ettinger -- Rooted in a 1,400-year-old vision, this ideology is ingrained in Iranian education, mosques, and media—and calls for the downfall of Sunni “apostate” regimes and the submission of the Western world, especially “The Great American Satan.”

More than just ideology, Iran is the epicenter of anti-US terrorism, global drug trafficking, and arms proliferation. Its reach spans the Middle East, Africa, Latin America—including the US-Mexico border—and even the US homeland.

REGIME CHANGE DEBATE

Ending wars and terrorism is impossible, some argue, without confronting their chief sponsor: the Ayatollah regime. Claims that regime change would alienate the Iranian people or Muslim world ignore widespread Iranian resentment toward the regime and the frustration felt after failed uprisings in 2009 and 2022. Sunni Arab allies—like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, and Jordan—are also quietly urging the US to act.

Comparisons to Iraq or Afghanistan overlook key differences in history, culture, and the Iranian public’s preparedness to replace its regime. The U.S.’s hesitation to act has weakened its deterrence, pushing traditional allies toward China and Russia.

A DIRECT THREAT TO US SOIL

The 2025 US Homeland Security Threat Assessment identifies Iran as a leading sponsor of terrorism, highlighting its attempts to target dissidents and even former US officials. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized Iran’s ability to infiltrate the US and launch attacks via proxy networks.

IRAN’S FOOTPRINT IN LATIN AMERICA

Iran’s presence in Latin America, especially through Hezbollah and its alliances with drug cartels and anti-US regimes, poses a growing threat to US national security. Their activities span from the “Tri-Border” area (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay) to major cities across the Western Hemisphere—forming part of a long-term strategy to expand influence and threaten US and Israeli interests.

Final warning: The Ayatollah regime never changes its ideology—only its tactics.

Photo: Reuters