The Complete Infidel's Guide to Iran

1. The Iran Nuclear Deal: A Flawed Agreement Built on Deception

“This will be the ultimate screwing.”

A hollow victory. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), hailed by President Obama as a triumph of diplomacy, was presented as a foolproof agreement to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. However, the deal contained critical flaws that undermined its stated goals, including expiration dates on restrictions, allowing Iran to resume nuclear activities after a set period. This raised concerns that the agreement merely delayed, rather than prevented, Iran's path to a bomb.

Verification loopholes. Despite assurances of robust verification, the deal included significant loopholes. Iran was granted the right to delay threatened inspections for up to twenty-four days, ample time to conceal illicit activities. Furthermore, a secret side deal reportedly allowed Iran to inspect its own Parchin military site, a move unprecedented in international nuclear oversight and widely criticized as remarkably naive and reckless.

Sanctions relief and false pretenses. The agreement provided Iran with billions in sanctions relief, which critics argued would fund its military and terror proxies. The Obama administration's justification for the deal often relied on a purported fatwa from Supreme Leader Khamenei forbidding nuclear weapons, a fatwa that researchers found no evidence of existing. This reliance on a non-existent religious edict, coupled with the administration's deliberate misrepresentation of Iranian "moderates," suggested a campaign of deception to sell a deeply flawed deal to the American public.

2. Iran's Global Ambition: World Conquest for Islam

“We shall export our revolution to the whole world. Until the cry ‘There is no god but Allah’ resounds over the whole world, there will be struggle.”

Ideological imperative. The Islamic Republic of Iran, from its inception, has harbored global ambitions rooted in its revolutionary Islamic ideology. Its leaders, including Ayatollah Khomeini and Supreme Leader Khamenei, have consistently articulated a vision of extending "the sovereignty of God's law throughout the world," viewing the Islamic Revolution as a vanguard for worldwide Islamic conquest. This commitment to global hegemony, particularly against the "Great Satan" (America) and "Little Satan" (Israel), is enshrined in its constitution and frequently reiterated in public rhetoric.

Unwavering hostility. Despite diplomatic engagements, Iran's hostility towards the U.S. remains absolute and public. Chants of "Death to America" are a "symbol of the Islamic Republic," reflecting a communal desire to destroy the United States. Iranian officials routinely dismiss U.S. military threats as "ridiculous" and express eagerness for a confrontation, believing their faith will ensure victory.

Conspiracy and unity. Iranian leaders often attribute disunity in the Muslim world to a conspiracy by the U.S. and Israel, portraying themselves as uniquely positioned to foster Islamic unity necessary for global triumph. This narrative fuels their expansionist agenda, aiming to restrict Western influence and establish an Islamic world order where freedom, democracy, and human rights are replaced by Islamic law.

3. Iran's Proxy Wars: Asserting Hegemony Across the Middle East

“Wherever a movement is Islamic, populist, and anti-American, we support it.”

Shi'ite crescent strategy. Iran actively pursues regional hegemony by funding and supporting a network of client states and terror groups, aiming to establish a "Shi'ite crescent" stretching from Iran through Iraq and Syria to Lebanon. This strategy leverages existing sectarian divisions and anti-American sentiment to expand Iranian influence and challenge Western interests.

Key proxies and their roles:

• Hizballah (Lebanon): Formed with direct Iranian support, Hizballah is a powerful terror group responsible for attacks against U.S. targets (e.g., 1983 Beirut barracks bombing) and a primary force against Israel from the north. It also engages in illicit activities like drug trafficking to fund its operations, extending its reach into South America and potentially the U.S. border.
• Syria (Bashar al-Assad): The al-Assad regime is a crucial ally, providing a strategic land bridge to Lebanon and Hizballah. Iran has heavily supported al-Assad militarily against rebel forces, viewing his survival as essential to its regional influence.
• Yemen (Houthi rebels): Iran backs the Houthi rebels, whose motto includes "Death to America, death to Israel," in their conflict against the Saudi-backed government. This intervention aims to extend Iranian influence to the Arabian Peninsula, further encircling Saudi Arabia.
• Hamas (Palestine): Despite being a Sunni group, Hamas has received substantial financial and military aid from Iran due to their shared hatred for Israel. This alliance, though sometimes strained by Sunni-Shi'ite tensions, serves Iran's broader goal of undermining Israel.

Direct confrontation and subversion. Beyond proxies, Iran engages in direct harassment of U.S. forces, such as the "near daily" confrontations with U.S. Navy ships in the Persian Gulf and the seizure of U.S. sailors in 2016. Iran also attempts to subvert Western nations through espionage and influence operations, as seen in allegations of funding a Spanish political party and using its Canadian embassy for subversive activities.

4. Iran's All-Consuming Hatred for Israel: A Religious Imperative

“Israel will go, it must not survive, and it will not.”

Existential threat. Iran's hatred for Israel is a foundational principle of the Islamic Republic, consistently articulated by its leaders as a religious imperative. Supreme Leader Khamenei has repeatedly called Israel a "cancerous tumor" that "must be annihilated," outlining a strategy of "low-intensity warfare" to make life impossible for Israeli Jews and force their emigration. This vision is rooted in Islamic principles that deem any land once ruled by Muslims as belonging to them forever.

Qur'anic roots of animosity. The Iranian regime's anti-Israel stance is deeply intertwined with interpretations of the Qur'an that portray Jews as enemies of Allah and Muslims. These texts describe Jews as disobedient, perverse, and deserving of divine wrath, even transforming them into "apes and pigs." This theological framework fuels an implacable hostility, justifying the destruction of Israel as a religious duty.

Conspiracy theories and global blame. Iranian officials frequently blame Israel for a wide array of global problems, from stirring up Sunni-Shi'ite conflict to controlling the United States through "sorcery" and even tainting cigarettes with "nuclear materials." This pervasive anti-Semitic rhetoric demonizes Israel and justifies Iran's aggressive actions, including its support for terror groups like Hamas and Hizballah, which have attempted to assassinate Israeli leaders and carried out attacks worldwide.

5. Ancient Persia's Legacy: A Civilization Pre-dating Islam

“I am Cyrus, king of the world, rightful king, king of Babylon, king of Sumer and Akkad, king of the four quarters (of the earth).”

A rich pre-Islamic history. Unlike many Muslim-majority nations, Iran boasts a profound and influential history stretching back millennia before the advent of Islam. The first great Persian Empire, the Achaemenid Empire, was established by Cyrus the Great in the 6th century BC, who was even hailed in the Bible as "the Lord's anointed" for allowing Jews to return to their homeland. This ancient legacy, often celebrated by modern Iranians as a form of dissent against the current regime, highlights a cultural identity that transcends its Islamic overlay.

Zoroastrianism and classical influence. Zoroastrianism, an ancient monotheistic religion, was the dominant faith of Persia for centuries, influencing later Abrahamic religions. Persian history is also deeply intertwined with classical Greece, with the Persian Wars shaping Western civilization and figures like Herodotus documenting the rivalry. Later, the Parthian and Sassanid Empires became formidable rivals to the Roman Empire, establishing a long-standing East-West divide that predates the Islamic era.

Cultural resilience and foreign rule. Despite centuries of foreign rule by Arabs, Turks, and Mongols, Persian culture and language exerted immense influence on the broader Islamic world, even contributing significantly to the codification of Arabic grammar and Islamic law. The Safavid Dynasty, which rose in the 16th century, revived Persia as an independent entity and established Twelver Shi'ism as the state religion, solidifying a distinct Iranian identity that blended ancient heritage with a unique Islamic interpretation.

6. The Islamic Revolution: From Monarchy to Theocracy

“Islam says: Kill all the unbelievers just as they would kill you all! Does this mean that Muslims should sit back until they are devoured by [the unbelievers]?”

The Shah's secular reforms. The Islamic Revolution of 1979 was a culmination of decades of growing resentment against the Shah's secularizing and Western-oriented policies. Reforms like granting women the right to vote and replacing the Islamic calendar with a Persian imperial one were seen by Shi'ite clerics, led by Ayatollah Khomeini, as an assault on Islam itself. This clash between modernization and religious tradition fueled widespread opposition.

Khomeini's rise and clerical rule. Exiled for his fiery denunciations of the Shah, Khomeini's sermons, smuggled into Iran on cassette tapes, galvanized a movement advocating for velayat-e faqih (guardianship of the jurist)—a system of clerical rule. He argued that only Shi'ite clerics, possessing divine knowledge, could establish a truly just Islamic society, rejecting Western-style democracy as incompatible with Islam. This vision resonated with a populace disillusioned by the Shah's authoritarianism and perceived subservience to the West.

Hostage crisis and totalitarian state. Upon his return to Iran in 1979, Khomeini swiftly consolidated power, establishing the Islamic Republic and enabling the storming of the U.S. Embassy, holding American diplomats hostage for 444 days. This act, dubbed the "Second Revolution," cemented Iran's anti-American stance and allowed Khomeini to implement a totalitarian Sharia state. The Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), though devastating, further strengthened Khomeini's grip, as he framed it as a holy war against "blasphemy," reinforcing the regime's rigid, humorless, and often brutal interpretation of Islam.

7. Life Under the Islamic Republic: Repression, Hypocrisy, and Persecution

“In Iran, nothing is what it seems.”

Authoritarian control and human rights abuses. Life in the Islamic Republic is characterized by severe repression and a pervasive culture of hypocrisy, as the regime enforces strict Shi'ite morality. Human rights organizations consistently report widespread abuses, including:

• Death by stoning for adultery.
• Amputations for "spreading corruption on earth."
• Eye gouging for causing injury.
• Juvenile executions.
  Iran executed 1,084 people in 2015, more than any other country, often for offenses deemed trivial by international standards.

Cultural resistance and underground life. Despite draconian laws, many Iranians covertly resist the regime's strictures, clinging to pre-Islamic traditions and Western influences. The Zoroastrian spring festival, Nowruz, remains the most popular celebration, and underground parties with alcohol thrive despite its prohibition. This duality creates a society where outward conformity masks a vibrant, often defiant, private life, leading to a constant cat-and-mouse game with morality police who enforce dress codes, hairstyles, and public behavior.

Persecution of minorities. While Jews, Christians, and Zoroastrians are recognized religious minorities, they face significant discrimination and limitations, including exclusion from certain government positions and unequal legal standing under Sharia law. The Bahai community, however, faces the harshest persecution, deemed a "deviant sect" and subjected to arrests, property seizures, and bans from higher education, reflecting the regime's systematic efforts to suppress any perceived challenge to its Islamic authority.

8. The Green Revolution: A Suppressed Cry for Reform, Not Revolution

“I will not submit to this dangerous charade.”

Fraudulent election and mass protests. The Green Revolution erupted in June 2009 following the widely disputed re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, sparking massive demonstrations across Iran. Protesters, led by reformist candidates Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, believed the election was fraudulent, with evidence suggesting widespread irregularities and vote manipulation. This movement, symbolized by the color green, initially sought to challenge the corruption within the Islamic Republic rather than overthrow the entire system.

Violent crackdown and international inaction. The regime responded with brutal force, deploying Basiji militiamen and other security forces who used clubs, electric prods, tear gas, and live ammunition against peaceful demonstrators. Reports emerged of torture, rape, and forced "temporary marriages" of virgin female prisoners before execution. Despite the horrific violence and pleas from protesters, the Obama administration offered only "tepid murmurs of dissent," fearing that visible support would harm the nuclear deal negotiations and be perceived as "meddling."

Limited reformist goals. While Western observers hoped for a democratic revolution, the Green Movement's leaders, including Mousavi and spiritual guide Grand Ayatollah Hussein Ali Montazeri, were themselves products of the Islamic Revolution and largely sought reforms within the existing framework of the Islamic Republic. Their "Seven-Point Manifesto" called for a "fairer" Supreme Leader and constitutional adjustments, but not an end to the theocratic system. This internal focus, combined with the regime's ruthless suppression and the lack of decisive international support, ultimately led to the movement's failure to achieve significant change.

9. Shi'ite Islam's Unique Theology: Driving Iran's Apocalyptic Vision

“Taqiyya is our religion and the religion of our fathers; he who has no taqiyya has no religion.”

The Sunni-Shi'ite schism. The fundamental divide between Sunni and Shi'ite Islam originated after Muhammad's death over the rightful succession to his leadership. Shi'ites believe Ali, Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, was divinely appointed as the first of twelve infallible Imams, possessing divine knowledge and authority. Sunnis, however, reject this, leading to centuries of persecution for Shi'ites and a deep-seated sense of historical grievance that shapes their identity and worldview.

The Hidden Imam and apocalyptic fervor. Twelver Shi'ism, Iran's official religion, centers on the belief that the Twelfth Imam, Muhammad ibn Hasan al-Mahdi, disappeared into "Occultation" in 874 AD and remains hidden on Earth. Shi'ites believe he will return in the end times, after a period of immense global destruction and persecution, to conquer the world and establish universal Islamic justice. This apocalyptic belief fuels a fervent anticipation among Iranian leaders, with former President Ahmadinejad even reserving a seat for the Mahdi at cabinet meetings and Supreme Leader Khamenei linking the Islamic Republic's existence to the Mahdi's imminent return.

Taqiyya and strategic deception. Central to Shi'ite theology is the concept of taqiyya, or religiously sanctioned deception, which allows believers to conceal their true faith or intentions to protect themselves or further Islamic goals. This doctrine, developed during periods of Sunni persecution, has been used by Iranian leaders to justify misleading adversaries, such as the alleged non-existent fatwa against nuclear weapons. This strategic use of deception makes it challenging for outsiders to discern Iran's true intentions, particularly in sensitive negotiations.

10. Confronting Iran: A Strategy of Strength and Ideological Warfare

“If you want peace, prepare for war.”

Lessons from past failures. The decades-long hostility between Iran and the U.S. demonstrates that weakness and naive concessions only embolden the Islamic Republic. The Obama administration's approach, characterized by a commitment to diplomacy and a reluctance to challenge Iran's ideology, resulted in a nuclear deal that many believe strengthened the regime militarily and economically without altering its fundamental belligerence. Future engagement must learn from these mistakes, recognizing Iran's consistent declarations of war and its history of deception.

A robust and realistic approach. A serious strategy for dealing with Iran requires a multi-faceted approach that combines strength, clear-eyed negotiation, and ideological confrontation:

• Negotiate with realism: Any future agreements must be genuinely verifiable, with no loopholes for delayed inspections or self-inspection, and clear, enforceable penalties for non-compliance.
• Respond with strength: Provocations must be met with decisive action, not appeasement, to signal resolve and deter further aggression, as demonstrated by Iran's response to President Reagan's inauguration.
• Fight the ideological war: The West must actively challenge the premises of Iran's political Islam, articulating the superiority of secular governance, freedom of speech, and equal rights over Sharia law, rather than dismissing such challenges as "Islamophobic."
• Support Iranian dissidents: The U.S. should actively encourage and capitalize on internal discontent within Iran, supporting genuine movements for republican government and human rights, rather than abandoning them for diplomatic overtures.
• Undermine the regime: Non-military means should be employed to weaken the Islamic Republic, recognizing that its fall would benefit not only the free world but also the Iranian people, who deserve better than the current totalitarian regime.

Protecting global security. Iran's ongoing bellicosity, its pursuit of nuclear capabilities, and its apocalyptic Shi'ite theology pose a significant threat to global peace and security. A strategy of "peace through strength" is essential to counter Iran's ambitions, defend U.S. interests and allies, and ultimately help the Iranian people reclaim their ancient civilization from the grip of a brutal theocracy.

Last updated: January 8, 2026