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A New Dawn: The Case for Regime Change in Iran
Protestors gather in solidarity with anti-regime protests in Iran outside the Iranian embassy in Helsinki, Finland. Photo: Reuters/Lehtikuva/Heikki Saukkomaa.
This policy shift is reminiscent of the decisive moment at the Guadalupe meeting in 1979, when global leaders chose to withdraw support from the Shah of Iran. That decision precipitated the fall of his regime, and the rise of a government that has since been a thorn in the side of international security. The current administration’s stance effectively closes the door on appeasement with a regime characterized by criminality and a lack of legitimacy, acknowledging that diplomacy with such an entity is not just fruitless but counterproductive.
The indispensability of leaders like Reza Pahlavi in this context cannot be overstated. Their advocacy for a democratic Iran free from the grip of authoritarianism and terrorism is not only a beacon of hope for the Iranian people, but also a strategic imperative for the international community.
The necessity for regime change in Iran, underpinned by the quest for stability and peace in the Middle East, is a complex yet unavoidable conclusion. The current regime’s entrenched position as a destabilizing force, through its support for proxy conflicts and its pursuit of nuclear capabilities, presents an insurmountable obstacle to regional harmony and international security. The transition towards a government that embodies the principles of democracy, respect for human rights, and peaceful coexistence is essential for dismantling the architecture of conflict that has defined the region for decades.
Such a transition requires a multifaceted strategy encompassing international diplomacy, economic incentives, and the empowerment of civil society within Iran. The global community must unite in its support for the Iranian populace, advocating for peaceful change and the establishment of a governance structure that reflects the will and aspirations of its people. This approach not only addresses the immediate challenges posed by Iran, but also lays the groundwork for a sustainable peace, facilitating the country’s reintegration into the global community as a constructive and responsible actor.
The recalibration of US policy towards Iran and the advocacy for regime change are not merely policy positions, but essential steps towards achieving stability and peace in the Middle East. The leadership of figures like Pahlavi is critical in navigating the complex landscape in Iran, and helping move the country towards democracy and prosperity. As the international community contemplates the path forward, it must recognize that the quest for a peaceful and stable Iran is intrinsically linked to the broader aspirations for global security and harmony. The journey is undoubtedly fraught with challenges, yet the promise of a democratic Iran, championed by visionary leaders and supported by a unified international effort, remains a goal worth pursuing for the sake of the Iranian people and the world at large.
In the journey toward a future free from the clutches of tyranny, I am reminded of a pivotal conversation between George W. Bush and an Iranian political figure, wherein Bush stated that the US wanted to see a democratic regime in Iran, but didn’t want to interfere. This sentiment encapsulates the delicate balance of supporting change without direct intervention. The onus, therefore, falls on the Iranian people to dismantle this brutal regime — a task of monumental difficulty.
The demise of such a regime cannot be achieved lightly or without a comprehensive plan. It necessitates the strategic support of the US intelligence community and the diplomatic engagement of global powers, including Russia and other Asian states, who eye a stake in Iran’s future post-regime. The path is arduous, but the collective effort can pave the way for a new Iran, marking the end of tyranny and the dawn of a new era of peace and democracy.
Erfan Fard is a counter-terrorism analyst and Middle East Studies researcher based in Washington, D.C. He focuses on Middle Eastern regional security affairs, with a particular emphasis on Iran, counter-terrorism, IRGC, MOIS, and ethnic conflicts in MENA. Erfan is a Jewish Kurd of Iran, and he is fluent in Persian, Kurdish, Arabic, and English. Follow him from this twitter account @EQFARD.
The post A New Dawn: The Case for Regime Change in Iran first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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After False Dawns, Gazans Hope Trump Will Force End to Two-Year-Old War
Palestinians walk past a residential building destroyed in previous Israeli strikes, after Hamas agreed to release hostages and accept some other terms in a US plan to end the war, in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip October 4, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
Exhausted Palestinians in Gaza clung to hopes on Saturday that US President Donald Trump would keep up pressure on Israel to end a two-year-old war that has killed tens of thousands and displaced the entire population of more than two million.
Hamas’ declaration that it was ready to hand over hostages and accept some terms of Trump’s plan to end the conflict while calling for more talks on several key issues was greeted with relief in the enclave, where most homes are now in ruins.
“It’s happy news, it saves those who are still alive,” said 32-year-old Saoud Qarneyta, reacting to Hamas’ response and Trump’s intervention. “This is enough. Houses have been damaged, everything has been damaged, what is left? Nothing.”
GAZAN RESIDENT HOPES ‘WE WILL BE DONE WITH WARS’
Ismail Zayda, 40, a father of three, displaced from a suburb in northern Gaza City where Israel launched a full-scale ground operation last month, said: “We want President Trump to keep pushing for an end to the war, if this chance is lost, it means that Gaza City will be destroyed by Israel and we might not survive.
“Enough, two years of bombardment, death and starvation. Enough,” he told Reuters on a social media chat.
“God willing this will be the last war. We will hopefully be done with the wars,” said 59-year-old Ali Ahmad, speaking in one of the tented camps where most Palestinians now live.
“We urge all sides not to backtrack. Every day of delay costs lives in Gaza, it is not just time wasted, lives get wasted too,” said Tamer Al-Burai, a Gaza City businessman displaced with members of his family in central Gaza Strip.
After two previous ceasefires — one near the start of the war and another earlier this year — lasted only a few weeks, he said; “I am very optimistic this time, maybe Trump’s seeking to be remembered as a man of peace, will bring us real peace this time.”
RESIDENT WORRIES THAT NETANYAHU WILL ‘SABOTAGE’ DEAL
Some voiced hopes of returning to their homes, but the Israeli military issued a fresh warning to Gazans on Saturday to stay out of Gaza City, describing it as a “dangerous combat zone.”
Gazans have faced previous false dawns during the past two years, when Trump and others declared at several points during on-off negotiations between Hamas, Israel and Arab and US mediators that a deal was close, only for war to rage on.
“Will it happen? Can we trust Trump? Maybe we trust Trump, but will Netanyahu abide this time? He has always sabotaged everything and continued the war. I hope he ends it now,” said Aya, 31, who was displaced with her family to Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip.
She added: “Maybe there is a chance the war ends at October 7, two years after it began.”
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Mass Rally in Rome on Fourth Day of Italy’s Pro-Palestinian Protests
A Pro-Palestinian demonstrator waves a Palestinian flag during a national protest for Gaza in Rome, Italy, October 4, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Claudia Greco
Large crowds assembled in central Rome on Saturday for the fourth straight day of protests in Italy since Israel intercepted an international flotilla trying to deliver aid to Gaza, and detained its activists.
People holding banners and Palestinian flags, chanting “Free Palestine” and other slogans, filed past the Colosseum, taking part in a march that organizers hoped would attract at least 1 million people.
“I’m here with a lot of other friends because I think it is important for us all to mobilize individually,” Francesco Galtieri, a 65-year-old musician from Rome, said. “If we don’t all mobilize, then nothing will change.”
Since Israel started blocking the flotilla late on Wednesday, protests have sprung up across Europe and in other parts of the world, but in Italy they have been a daily occurrence, in multiple cities.
On Friday, unions called a general strike in support of the flotilla, with demonstrations across the country that attracted more than 2 million, according to organizers. The interior ministry estimated attendance at around 400,000.
Italy’s right-wing government has been critical of the protests, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni suggesting that people would skip work for Gaza just as an excuse for a longer weekend break.
On Saturday, Meloni blamed protesters for insulting graffiti that appeared on a statue of the late Pope John Paul II outside Rome’s main train station, where Pro-Palestinian groups have been holding a protest picket.
“They say they are taking to the streets for peace, but then they insult the memory of a man who was a true defender and builder of peace. A shameful act committed by people blinded by ideology,” she said in a statement.
Israel launched its Gaza offensive after Hamas terrorists staged a cross border attack on October 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 people hostage.
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Hamas Says It Agrees to Release All Israeli Hostages Under Trump Gaza Plan
Smoke rises during an Israeli military operation in Gaza City, as seen from the central Gaza Strip, October 2, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas
Hamas said on Friday it had agreed to release all Israeli hostages, alive or dead, under the terms of US President Donald Trump’s Gaza proposal, and signaled readiness to immediately enter mediated negotiations to discuss the details.