An Iran rebuilt on mercy
Over the past year, two military campaigns against Iran by the United States and Israel never triggered a popular uprising that would fell the Islamic Republic, as hoped. Instead, President Donald Trump has now reached a tentative deal with the regime to address two international concerns: ending Iran鈥檚 nuclear program and opening the vital Strait of Hormuz to shipping.
Still, many Iranians, especially the millions living abroad, have been busier than usual. They are trying to unite behind new plans for what to do if the government does collapse 鈥� notably, how to ensure no violence against the regime and its followers as a way to entice defections. They are heartened by reports of a power struggle in Tehran.
One common theme in these efforts? 鈥淚t has become clear to many in the diaspora that Iran needs a kinder, gentler, and more palatable opposition,鈥� wrote Mohamad Rimawi, a graduate student in Near Eastern studies at New York University, in Foreign Policy.
Division and acrimony have long marked Iran鈥檚 very diverse political opposition overseas. Yet several groups and leaders have engaged in a certain self-reflection on what divides them. In February, for example, five major opposition parties for Iranian Kurds in exile decided to unite. In March, an organization calling itself the Conservative Party of Iran was formed as a credible political alternative in a liberated Iran.
Last October, many rival opposition figures met in Norway for a dialogue on possible transitions to a democratic future. 鈥淚t should not turn into bloodshed or political revenge,鈥� Abdullah Mohtadi of the Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan told the conference. 鈥淭ransitional justice must be based on global norms.鈥�
Perhaps the most significant display of unity of opposition groups was the convening of the new Iran Freedom Congress in London two months ago. The IFC laid out broad principles for a democratic and secular government along with a warning about collective retaliation against regime supporters.
Many inside Iran, where protests have been severely repressed, might be looking for leadership in the Iranian diaspora. Determining now how to balance justice and mercy in a postregime situation might help bring the transition closer. That would mean preparing to forgive many people in Iran. Or as Foad Pashaei, secretary-general of the Constitutionalist Party of Iran, told the conference in Norway: 鈥淲e must drink the bitter medicine of forgiveness once and for all. It is bitter, but it is the only way to overcome the past and build a democratic future for Iran.鈥�
