Lately, the mainstream media has put strained American-Iranian relations in the spotlight. However, these proud countries have had strained relations for over 30 years now, beginning with the overthrow of the Shah Regime in the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Azad states “Prior to the revolution the U.S. government supported the imperialistic and pro American monarch Shah Reza Pahlavi” (par. 4). However, the conservative Iranian people resented the Shah’s attempt to westernize the country and eventually overthrew him in 1979, replacing him with an anti American ruler. Since then, relations have been tense and numerous. circumstances, such as the recent Iranian Election Riots, have only escalated the tension.

            Every year American-Iranian relations remain hostile, is another year countless social injustices and human rights violations go unpunished. Iran is a regional power in the Middle East and a great national stronghold for Shiite Muslims. However, due to religious and cultural norms, Head expresses the Iranian Government allows blatant violations of basic human rights within its borders (par. 1). In many cases, it is actually the government or a government entity that is perpetrating the act. Furthermore, Iran has deliberate sexist policies intended to oppress the female population that has become an integral part of its “justice” system. Dozens of Iranians are executed every year for minor offenses ranging from premarital sex, particularly women, to petty theft. In 2004 for instance, Boniface mournfully asserts “a 13 year old girl was accused of sexual crimes after being impregnated by her 15 year old brother; after having the child, the girl was eligible for punishment and executed” (par. 3). Her brother received a much lighter sentence, 150 lashes from a whip. Iranian police typically respond violently towards peaceful protesters, beating and sometimes killing them. The protesters who are arrested are subjected to further beatings while incarcerated and frequently die under mysterious circumstances. This practice recently came to light when peaceful demonstrators took to the streets after the sketchy results of the 2009 general election as Bower explains in his protest argument (Ahmadinejad hails election as protests grow). The Iranian Police and Basij cracked down on the protestors viciously and deported all foreign news reporters from the country. Fortunately, their brutal response was captured on video and shared with the world through social networking sites on the internet.

            Another international injustice, and perhaps the most troubling, is Iran’s insistence on enriching uranium, a precursor to developing devastating nuclear technologies. The Iranian government maintains that its nuclear program is for energy purposes only and that it has no intent on creating actual weapons of mass destruction. These weapons, capable of killing hundreds of thousands of people, already exist primarily in the U.S. and Russia. A few other countries have them as well but steps are being taken to reduce the amount countries have to ensure the safety of innocent civilians all over the world. Though there is no hard evidence that Iran intends to develop a nuclear weapon, its secretive practices and abhorrent nature towards international inspectors suggests that the republic is in fact hiding something. It is an unacceptable threat to global security to allow yet another country to gain access to this horrific technology.

The United States is a global superpower with the clout to spread democratic and benevolent principles, though this has led some people to criticize it as a world police force. The American government has undoubtedly done more for the cause of human rights and world peace than any other single country in the modern world; the sum of all the good done far outweighs the bad. If any country has the influence to spread democracy and justice to the Iranian Republic, it is the United States. Unfortunately, the U.S. government has had its share of foul ups regarding Iran, ranging from harsh economic sanctions to downright attacks on Iranian citizens. Simply getting the Iranian Republic to the bargaining table will be a difficult task, but it must be done to advance the cause of justice and peace, not only in this single country, but in the whole Middle East.

The first step in the direction of progress is communication. Decades of hostile and uncooperative leadership have all but ended open diplomacy between the U.S. and Iran. A peaceful and compromising forum must be open between the two countries where policies can be discussed and negotiated. It is in this forum that the United States can formally acknowledge its stance on Iran’s outdated and inhumane justice system. These will not only serve as evidence of where the U.S. stands, but will also ensure the American citizens that while the U.S. does do business with Iran, it does not formally support its infringements on human rights as the Fox network would argue (par. 7). This would be the start of open and consistent communication between the countries that would serve to foster mutual growth and prosperity.

With a few years of good communication under the bridge, the United States would have the leverage to encourage Iran into peaceful negotiations with its other allies. The most immediate benefactor would be Israel. Iranian insurgents, as well as militants from other Islamic countries have been at war with Israel since its inception. A good relationship with the U.S. might encourage an end to the conflict in the region and finally put a stop to the endless suffering. The newly established democracies in Iraq and Afghanistan would also benefit greatly from this practice. Since Iran is one of the foremost powers in the region, its economic influence is key in securing the growth and longevity of these budding bastions of democracy.

With regards to Iran’s nuclear weapons, the U.S. must take a tough, hard-line stance. The Republic must cease its nuclear programs completely or allow it to be monitored and controlled by the independent United Nations. Brad briefly explains “if they choose to keep their nuclear program, UN contractors and inspectors will be on hand 24/7 to ensure that the nuclear power is being used for energy only and that Iran is taking no steps to creating an actual nuclear weapon” (par. 4). If they choose to end their program, the United States will assist them in procuring affordable energy elsewhere using its allies in nearby regions. Possible alternatives include natural gas exports from Russia and oil from Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Additionally, if Iran chose this option, the U.S. government and the United Nations could reach an agreement to temporarily subsidize its energy purchases in order to create incentive against nuclear technology.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is an enigmatic country. On one hand, it is a highly advanced democracy just waiting to happen. On the other, it is an ultra conservative and excessively aggressive theocracy with outdated and barbaric practices. Shoddy relationships with western countries have only served to stifle social advancement and human rights. It is high time that the United States live up to its role of advancing the cause of democracy, human rights and freedom. Iran is the most apparent national target for this change. Fathi elaborates “with good diplomatic practices and strong stance against the stubborn leadership, the U.S. could reverse over four millennia of oppressive social injustice in a matter of decades” (par.1). The first step is communication.

Works Cited

Azad, Azadeh. "Inside the Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies (IHCS), a Tehran research institute." Iranian. Among Rogue Scholars, 1995. Web. 29 July 2009. <http://www.iranian.com/revolution.html>.

 

Boniface, Susie. "Hanged from a crane aged 15." Iranfocus. Iranfocus, 23 July 2006. Web. 29 July 2009. <http://www.iranfocus.com/en/human-rights/hanged-from-a-crane-aged-16-08000.html>.

 

Bower, Eve. "Ahmadinejad hails election as protests grow." CNN. CNN, 13 July 2009. Web. 29 July 2009. <http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/06/13/iran.election/index.html>.

 

Brad. "Blast from the Past." Support for Iran's Nuclear program. Iran Affairs, 30 May 2006. Web. 29 July 2009. <http://www.iranaffairs.com/iran_affairs/2006/05/blasts_from_the.html>.

 

Fathi, Nazila. "Iranians Gather in Grief, Then Face Police." Peace with Iran. New York Times, 30 July 2008. Web. 29 July 2009. <http://www.peacewithiran.com/>.

 

Head, Tom. "Human Rights in Iran - Iranian Human Rights Abuses." Civil Liberty. About.com:Civil Liberties, 2008. Web. 29 July 2009. <http://civilliberty.about.com/od/internationalhumanrights/p/iran101.html>.

 

"U.S.-Iran Trade Stronger Than Most Suspect." Fox News. Fox, 8 July 2008. Web. 29 July 2009. <http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,378167,00.html>.