IFebruary 11 marked the
33rd anniversary of Iran's 1979 revolution. It ended a generation of
repressive rule under Washington's installed Reza Shah Pahlavi.
In late 1947, Iran demanded more revenue from its own oil. Britain's
Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (AOIC) refused.
In 1951, one month before Mohammad Mosaddegh became prime minister,
parliament nationalized AOIC. Fair compensation was paid. Iran tried
but couldn't resolve its revenue sharing dispute equitably.
Economic sanctions and an oil embargo followed. British banks froze
Iranian assets. Major Anglo-American oil interests supported London.
Today's anti-Iranian repression replicates what occurred then.
In 1953, CIA operative Kermit Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt's grandson
and Franklin's cousin, engineered the Agency's first coup. Democratically
elected Mossadeq was ousted.
At the time, The New York Times called him "the most popular politician
in the country." Nonetheless, a military showdown followed against pro-Mossadegh
officers with each side staking their careers on the outcome.
He was deposed. Reza Shah Pahlavi replaced him. Sanctions were lifted,
and America and Britain regained an Iranian client state until February
1979 when the same Anglo-American interests turned on the Shah and removed
him.
As late as 1977, Jimmy Carter declared Iran an "oasis of stability."
He ignored years of brutal regime repression. In 1978, a White House
Iran task force recommended replacing the Shah with Ayatollah Khomeini.
He was then living in France.
It was part of a larger scheme to balkanize the region along tribal
and religious lines. It also sought to create an "arc of crisis" through
Central Asia to Soviet Russia.
Accomplishing it in 1978 became urgent. The Shah was negotiating a 25-year
oil deal with British Petroleum (BP), but talks broke down in October.
BP demanded exclusive rights to future output but refused to guarantee
oil purchases.
The Shah balked and sought new buyers in Europe and elsewhere. He also
hoped to create a modern energy infrastructure built around nuclear
power. He wanted to transform Iranian and regional power needs.
He envisioned 20 new reactors by 1995 to diversify away from Iran's
dependence on oil. He also wanted Washington's pressure to recycle petrodollars
weakened, as well as increased foreign investments.
Alarmed, Washington tried blocking his plan but failed. As a result,
its usual tactics followed. They included cutting Iranian oil purchases,
other economic pressures, and fueled instability through oil strikes,
religious rivalries, and other disruptive practices to incite anti-Shah
sentiment.
Major media scoundrels regurgitated government propaganda. Khomeini
got a public stage to speak. The Shah was prevented from responding.
In January 1979, things came to a head. He fled the country. Khomeini
returned, and proclaimed the Islamic Republic with overwhelming public
support.
In May, he cancelled Iran's nuclear plans. American officials thought
they could control him and Iranian oil, but miscalculated. Free from
Western dominance, Iran didn't look back.
As a result, tensions built. Three-three years later they're boiling.
Tehran's again targeted for regime change.
On February 10, American Free Press contributor Pete Papaherakles suggested
one reason why, besides America's intolerance of independent regimes,
its quest for regional dominance, and determination to control its rich
oil and gas reserves.
"Could gaining control" of Iran's central bank (CBI) be key? Few countries
have independent ones. Pre-9/11, Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Sudan
were among them. No longer.
Islamic central banking prohibits usury. Western banks thrive on it
through predatory loan practices. Money control is key to make more
of it at the public's expense. Ousting Gaddafi perhaps was as much about
banking as oil.
The privatized Central Bank of Benghazi replaced the state-owned Central
Bank of Libya. It created its own money interest free for economic growth,
not profits or bonuses for predatory bankers.
They want dominant money control. Achieving it in Iran is one of several
reasons for wanting regime change.
Iranians want none of it. On February 11, they rallied across the country
in solidarity against it.
Whatever their pro or con government views, they deplore Western imperialism.
They remember hellish Shah repression or were taught by their parents
who endured it. As a result, they reject going back and know how countries
are torn apart and destroyed when America intervenes.
Press TV provided extended coverage of an extraordinary commemoration
day. Millions turned out in over 1,000 Iranian cities and 5,000 villages
across the country.
In Tehran, hundreds of thousands gathered in Azadi (Freedom) square.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad addressed them, saying:
"The huge awakening is underway. The storm of global awakening is underway.
(It's) uproot(ing capitalist) tyranny and oppression."
He stressed need for a new world order, guaranteeing justice, righteousness,
prosperity, security, and dignity for everyone. He said governance should
transcend racist stigmas and respect humanity.
He blamed US imperialism and Israel for supporting world despots and
causing global turmoil. He said Iran stands resolute against them.
Iran v. America
Annually, Iran commemorates its revolution. This year's turnout appears
the largest ever. Over 300 foreign and 1,500 Iranian correspondents
covered it. Images of huge supportive masses were impressive.
America never experienced anything like it. Why isn't hard to understand.
When people have nothing to celebrate, they don't. Years of protest
were needed for meager social gains. Racism and class divisions define
America from inception to today.
Constitutional law legitimized slavery. Blacks were commodities, not
people. Only adult white male property owners could vote. Women were
considered childbearing, homemaking appendages of their husbands.
Until 1810, religious prerequisites existed. All adult white males couldn't
vote until property and tax requirements ended in 1850. States elected
senators until the 1913 17th amendment enfranchised citizens.
Native Americans had no rights until the 1924 Indian Citizenship Act.
It partially returned what no one had the right to take away in the
first place. Today native people are treated more like serfs than citizens.
Women's suffrage wasn't achieved until the 1920 19th Amendment after
nearly a century of struggle.
The 1865 13th Amendment freed Black slaves. The 1870 15th Amendment
gave them what wasn't achieved until passage of the landmark mid-1960s
Civil and Voting Rights Acts. They abolished longstanding Southern Jim
Crow laws, now reemerged in new forms.
Today, virtually all hard won gains are lost. Blacks have no reason
to celebrate. Neither do Latinos and all working Americans exploited
by corporate predators complicit with political Washington.
Early America was repressive and unfair. Today it's much worse beneath
the veneer of illusory democracy, out-of-control imperialism, and Washington's
war on humanity.
Freedom's a fading right. So is survival unless America's rogue agenda
ends. Decades of destructive policies made more enemies than friends.
As a result, America's world influence is waning. Nations are more assertive
saying no and getting away with it. Expect others to follow.
Putting a brave face on raw imperialism no longer works. Eventually
perhaps only Israel, Britain, the worst of global despots, and a couple
of small Pacific islands will stay supportive.
What can't go on forever, won't. Nations living by the sword, die by
it. For growing millions, it can't happen a moment too soon.
Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.
Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge
discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News
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