Iranian Reformists lash out over Tillerson's hints at regime change

On June 14, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson spoke of support for a “peaceful transition of government” in Iran, a controversial statement interpreted in Tehran as meaning that US policy is reverting to regime change.

Prominent Reformist figures, including those who have been imprisoned, protested the apparent new policy of the US government toward Iran. In a joint statement June 16, the Reformists condemned Tillerson’s announced posture and described it as “interventionist.”

The Reformist figures wrote in their statement: “Everybody is aware of the fact that the situation in the Middle East and North Africa is not only in a more dangerous situation than other parts of the world, but also that the region hasn’t faced such a big crisis in its history. Although an important part of the crisis is due to internal issues, and the weakness and lack of democratic and free governments in the region, one of the major causes of the crisis is the interference of foreigners, especially the US government. Contrary to its claim of defending human rights, Washington advocates for only the most reactionary countries in the region. Therefore it can be said that the roots of extremism in the region and the world are somehow influenced by their behavior.”

Referring to Tillerson’s recent remarks as “provocative” and “contrary to the legal and international rules,” the Reformists emphasized that "the results [of this rhetoric] are nothing except the increase of instability in the region, and [consequently] development of war and terrorism. … These statements are expressed while an overwhelming majority of people of Iran expressed their [views] by voting, and at the same time the White House is supporting the countries that are being governed wholly tyrannically [with the aim] of plundering the oil revenues of the region.”