Shima Bozorgi

Iran-U.S. relations have been anything but friendly since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The recent passing of President Carter once again reminded us of this bitter history, as Carter, if not directly but indirectly, paved the way for an anti-Western, anti-Semitic figure such as Khomeini to enter Iran. While American politicians from both sides of the aisle paid respect to former President Carter, the Iranian diaspora showed the cold shoulder. The pain, sorrow, and suffering of the aftermath of 1979 have made Iranians less forgiving.

While the complexities of the 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran are enormous, a straightforward fact is undeniable: When the West supports the wrong figure at the wrong time, everyone will pay a high price for years, including Westerners themselves. Now, Trump has a chance to fix this, albeit very carefully.

 To do this, he must first realize who the Iranians are and what they want. This mission, of course, is not easy because, until 2009, the majority of the Iranian diaspora in the U.S. was looking inward and trying to make a life for their families without getting mixed up in the bitter memories of the 1979 U.S. hostage crisis in Iran. Until 2009, Iranians were as equal to their terrorist regime, and this multiplied their sorrow while living in the West. It was not until the widespread death of Neda Agha Soltan and bloody protest in the aftermath of the Presidential election that the West realized that Iranian people are indeed the victims of this brutal regime and they are not equal to it.

Inside Iran, too, Iranians soon realized the hollow promises of Khomeini, which were for free water and electricity. Their fight against the regime inside has not stopped, but the Western media has dared to cover it as if it were never happening. As the Iranian diaspora got the chance to rebuild itself in the U.S. and have a voice since 2009, the regime soon funded and established its lobby apparatus by infiltrating the Iranian community, U.S. institutions, and academia to change discourse for the regime. From supporting a weak nuclear deal to protect Obama’s legacy to spreading misinformation and disinformation via think tanks in D.C. by projecting that the U.S. is just evil towards Iranian people, it has only prologued a barbaric regime that was a threat to its nation but also regional and global stability. 

Now, the regime is at its weakest. Outside Iran, Israel has eliminated Hamas leaders fueled by regime dollars over the years and is now going after Houthis of Yemen, the latest proxies of Ayatollahs. Syria’s Assad, the regime sent its forces to protect since 2015, has collapsed in just over a few days, an event that was a slap in the face for Khamenei’s leadership. Inside Iran, Iranians have not been the same anymore since the pivotal killing of Mahsa Zhina Amini in September 2022, which led to the regime cracking down and massacring young people and then taking their families hostage and imprisoning them, too. 

A movement that, for the first time, brought global attention to women, men, and children’s oppression inside the regime. The United Nations also had no choice but to assign a task force this time, separate from its usual special rapporteur on Iran.

Economically, the Islamic regime cannot control the price of dollars, commodities, secure electricity, clean air, retirees’ salaries, or labor union salaries, which has changed the movement from protests to widespread strikes. 

Second, once Trump realized that Iranians were distinguished from their regime, they are yearning for change. The diaspora even established campaigns and advocacy work for Trump’s re-election in 2024; the question is, what should Trump do to address this cancerous regime worldwide? The Iranians have serious concerns about this. On the one hand, they voted for Trump to stand rigid on the regime and make no deal; on the other hand, rumor has it that the isolationists around President Trump, or his own admiration for making business deals, can slip another firm agreement with the Iranian regime. But both groups need to realize a fundamental question: What, if any, benefit to keeping a regime in power that has no benefit for anyone inside and outside its territory? ZERO.

Third, once you realize who Iranians are and what they want, and the regime has just grown to a snake, what should you do next?

Trump primarily needs a task force on Iran in the State Department, Department of Defense, and the Intelligence community. Of course, with a thorough background check on every employee in this area. Special Envoy on Iran must also be there and listen carefully to the opposition groups. Many in D.C. though pose as opposition, but they are collaborating with the regime, or they have been on the U.S. terrorist list until 2012. Finding the correct type of opposition, though, should not be too difficult; someone who has a clean record, meaning he has not assassinated Americans, and will not force hijab laws nor prohibit business with the West. 

Trump then needs to facilitate technical support to Iranians next time the protests and strikes become more widespread. Additionally, Trump will benefit from holding events and talking to the Iranian diaspora directly and hearing their grievances and suggestions. 

Lastly, Trump’s task forces on Iran need to end the Islamic regime apparatus in the U.S. and eliminate the regime proxies in the region. This requires thorough work and investigations at the Justice Department. 

2025 is the year to make history, not another weak deal. It is a year not to be afraid to say, “Regime change in Iran.” Iranians are ready to make that change, although not with a Syrian-style militia replacement. Trump now has the chance to transform Iran- U.S. animosity to Iran- U.S.  normality by facilitating this. Iranians themselves will change the course, but history has shown every nation needs some help to set their country free. 

A free Iran will benefit everyone more than a theocratic-militia regime. Not to mention, an Iran closer to the West will be better than an Iran swallowed by Russia and China. Once Iran’s doors open to the West, there will be a plethora of human, economic, and cultural talents enriching both sides and long-term peace and security will be established. 2025 is the year that the legacy of Jimmy Carter on Iran dies with him.