The main mission of the left forces in Iran in the immediate struggles ahead for transition from theocratic dictatorship!
(Translated Excerpts from the Editorial of Nameh Mardom, issue no. 1185, published Monday 3 July 2023)
Changing the balance of power against the theocratic regime to overcome the dictatorship [in Iran] is the responsibility of the left and progressive nationalist forces!
While the country’s economy, correctly assessed by Ali Khamenei as being “broken and unproductive”, has laid waste to the lives and livelihoods of the majority of people; the country’s national interests and security are facing increasingly dangerous threats with every passing day.
There is ample and mounting evidence of the ever widening multifaceted socio-economic crises in the country, as well as the fact that the ruling theocratic regime remains incapable of resolving them. Instead, the government’s response is nothing but the default ramping-up of the security atmosphere of intimidation and repression. Against this backdrop, we have witnessed the resumption of a new round of arrests and suppression of the justice-seeking teachers, who have not given up on their demands and continue with their righteous trade union struggles, as well as the violent and bloody suppression of the heroic struggle of the people of Baluchestan who continue with their weekly protests against the unpopular policies of the regime.
Furthermore, the theocratic regime is looking overseas to find a ‘cure’ to the threats it faces from the growing socio-economic crisis [in Iran] and to factor this in with its “Seventh Development Plan” – a plan that includes the most ruthless neoliberal program for privatisation and an intensified exploitation of the country’s labour force and environment for the benefit of the big capitalists [whether from Iran or abroad].
Now, following the revelation of a new round of secret and behind-closed-doors negotiations between the envoys of the “supreme leader” and the representatives of the U.S. government, it has become clear that the balance of power in all areas [of mutual interest] is in firmly tilted in favour of the U.S. The main provisions of any agreement to be reached will therefore be dictated by the U.S. The fundamental and decisive factor dictating the presence of the representatives of the “supreme leader” at the negotiation table with the “enemy” [the U.S.] is the continuation of the country’s severe socio-economic crisis, the [potential] consequences of which threaten the very future of the political system [the Islamic Republic] as well as the interests and power of the large financial-commercial capitals [which are inextricably tied-up with the former].
Despite the usual rhetoric and propaganda of the theocratic regime, it has no choice but to accept the main demands of the U.S. It may be difficult for the Islamic Republic to accept the U.S. demands on some of the regional issues – but, on the whole and ultimately, the theocratic regime does not have any fundamental problem with the policies of U.S. imperialism provided that the Islamic Republic’s existence and its share of power at regional level is recognised [and not threatened].
Another fundamental issue in these negotiations is the subject of sanctions and the willingness or not of the U.S. to facilitate, expand, and strengthen the economic ties between Iran and global capital. It is therefore clear that, on the one hand, the U.S. has full authority and a decisive role in the economic affairs and policies of our country; while, on the other hand, links with global capital, so as to secure the interests of large financial and commercial capitals in Iran, are a vital necessity for the continued existence [indeed survival] of the theocratic regime.
Our Party has always emphasised that in negotiations with the U.S. or any other foreign power; maintaining and expanding the interests of the giant financial and commercial capitals in Iran, upon which the political superstructure of the theocratic regime relies, has always been and one of [the regime’s] pivotal points. This could pave the way for the establishment of a specific type of relations between the U.S. and the Islamic Republic dictatorship. In order to safeguard its political system – that is, the dominance of “Political Islam” – and to preserve the interests of various layers of the bourgeoisie upon which it relies; the theocratic regime is forced to negotiate and secretly appease the U.S. [despite its constant blustery rhetoric to the contrary].
We also emphasise the fact that the U.S, contrary to its propaganda and fake slogans in defence of democracy and human rights, is undoubtedly taking maximum advantage of the weak position of the Islamic Republic in these behind-closed-doors negotiations to advance its imperialist strategic policies and nefarious designs in relation to Iran and the Middle East. In the meantime, the national interests and wishes of the Iranian people will not be of any concern to either side and will only be adopted as a cover [false mantra] in their negotiations.
The bitter historical irony here is that irrespective of the actual pressing issues [afflicting Iran] and the very painful experiences of certain political forces under both monarchical and religious fundamentalist dictatorships, among these same forces we are still witnessing ardent support and praise for these two dictatorial regimes.
Thus, on the one hand, certain individuals and currents under the banner of the “left” somehow see the theocratic regime as having an anti-imperialist character amid an [emerging] “multipolar world”, fuelling the illusion that the absolute dictatorship of a reactionary individual such as the “supreme leader” over all the basic affairs of our country and people is a necessity for safeguarding “Iran’s independence”.
On the other hand, some of those hailing from a “left” background, but now having sharply turned towards the right, fuel the illusion that the future of our country depends on the assistance and even direct intervention of the most right-wing foreign powers, as well as the revival of the [utterly discredited] monarchy under absolute rule of another kind – that is a shah [king]. The role and effect of these advocates for either type of dictatorship – namely the monarchists or the supporters of “Political Islam” – has been to create confusion in public opinion, sew discord, and to disrupt the formation of united action among progressive and anti-dictatorship political forces.
Fortunately, the undeniable facts, especially with regard to the recent developments, have underlined the complete fallacy of such theories which defend reaction and give a positive image either of the current ruling dictatorship or its predecessor, monarchical despotism. From the perspective of history, the era of these two types of dictatorships, that have ruled our country throughout the last one hundred years, is over.
The Tudeh Party of Iran, based on its 80 years of practical experience of struggle against dictatorial regimes and its assessment of the current specific conditions in Iran and the world, therefore believes that establishing and providing the subjective factor (mobilising and organising a broad popular movement based on a joint plan of struggle) as well as changing the balance of power against the ruling dictatorship to realise fundamental national, democratic, and justice-seeking changes in Iran are the duty and responsibility of the country’s left and the progressive nationalist forces.
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For the statements of the Tudeh Party of Iran and its analysis of major developments in Iran Please visit: www.tudehpartyiran.org