Persia's History will Support Iran's Democracy.

As Trump faces decisions regarding Iran, Americans appear to be surprisingly divided on the issue. I'm not referring to the extreme pro-Ayatollah supporters—they seem beyond help. Rather, a significant portion of the population understandably believes that aggression in the Middle East has rarely benefited American interests, and they are correct. If you're like me, you may have concluded that true democracy will never be established in the Middle East. Our best strategy seems to be to contain the region rather than engage with it. For generations, attempts to install democratic leadership in radical Muslim countries have failed.

While Israel offers a small glimmer of hope amidst the turmoil, it is insufficient to revolutionize the Middle East or fully unlock the region's potential. Historically, many Middle Eastern countries have maintained control by relying on a strong Islamic base and eliminating non-believers. Nations like Iraq and Afghanistan have been governed by extremist Muslim leadership for centuries. In many cases, it may be best to allow these countries to self-destruct rather than continue our interventions. However, this perspective does not apply to Iran.

Persia, now Iran, once occupied a central position in the world as the first civilization to establish a human rights decree. Until 1956, Persia was a place where multiple faiths coexisted peacefully, with Muslims, Jews, and Christians living together for centuries. The extreme Islamic authoritarians have not led Iran for long, and the foundations of Persia's founding can still be seen throughout the country and within its people.

Many Persian-Americans, forced to flee, have had to give up their land and submit to Iran's new supreme leadership. They recount horrific stories of public stonings, sanctioned murders of non-believers, and severe abuses toward women. These individuals remind us of the horrors inflicted by the Iranian regime on its people. Many in Iran live in constant fear, and a significant number do not support the Ayatollahs.

These same Persian-Americans share stories of a time marked by great wealth, freedom, prestigious universities, innovation, and cultural achievements. Today, we still rely on elements of the Persian mail system in many countries. Persia served as the heart of the Middle East for centuries, and the desire to return to that era is palpable. Essentially, Persia was the United States of the Middle East.

We are now witnessing glimpses of social upheaval in Iran, as more people grow tired of the oppression and look back to better times. We must consider the people of Iran as we contemplate our involvement. They are not the typical rural Muslims portrayed in movies, living in tents with camels and sheep. Iranians are highly educated, so I have total faith in their ability to rebound from darkness. They seem to want an end to their suffering, and I believe we must answer their call.

If it were any other country in the Middle East, I would wholeheartedly agree that attempts at democracy would be futile. However, Iran is different—not just another Middle Eastern nation. The economic benefits of a democratic ally in the region could mean generational wealth for our country. Iran has been suggested to have more oil than Saudi Arabia and Kuwait combined, and its population could generate wealth beyond those two kingdoms. Iran has a solid infrastructure of roads, bridges, and commerce, which would not cost or require even half of what was needed for Iraq's reconstruction.

In summary, the benefits of assisting the Iranian people, as well as others under their oppressive regime, far outweigh the drawbacks. As a Trump supporter, I fully embraced his policy of limiting or eliminating international military conflicts. This has been a significant long-term goal, and we have made considerable progress. However, like Franklin D. Roosevelt, Trump has been granted an extraordinary opportunity. None of us expected the Israelis to achieve as much in weakening this regime as they have. Furthermore, no one could have foreseen a chance to liberate one of the world's greatest nations, while benefiting economically from oil and maximizing trade and commerce in the region.

Americans must also recognize that China has made significant inroads into the Middle East through its New Silk Road initiative. While China is not entirely dependent on Iran, losing it as an essential trading partner would hinder its progress and economy.

With nuclear sites destroyed and a population eager for freedom that would support change, the decision appears clear. Additionally, the potential impact on China and the economic benefits for the Western world further bolster this stance. We might not get another opportunity like this to address the threat posed by the Iranian regime decisively. Just as we witnessed the cheers in Baghdad when Saddam Hussein's statue was toppled, I believe the people of Iran would similarly rally in favor of democracy rather than support another extremist Muslim leader.

As Americans, we can be on the right side of history. As conservatives, we can lead that effort. Although President Trump is committed to keeping our troops at home and is often anti-aggression, we cannot ignore the facts. The Persian foundations of education, free exchange of ideas, religious freedoms, and human rights will facilitate the establishment of a new democratic government with minimal effort on our part. If Trump were to remove the Supreme Leader and his inner circle, Iran would flourish, and we would have once again toppled one of the most evil, oppressive, and dangerous governments since Hitler.

Do you think we can support a regime change in Iran and remain true to our MAGA roots?