Israel-Hamas War; American Politicians and Prince Reza Pahlavi Criticize the Islamic Republic

Prince Reza Pahlavi stated in an interview with Fox News on Sunday, October 15, that to establish peace and stability in the Middle East, one must remove the eye of the octopus of the Islamic Republic instead of just fighting its tentacles. He argued that from the beginning, the Islamic Republic regime was not built on the mentality of welfare and development but rather on greed and the export of a worldview, imposing the costs on Iranian citizens. According to him, the Islamic Republic has utilized all its available resources to continue repression domestically and to conduct a 'campaign of terror and instability' abroad. He noted that everything happening today is a sign of this 'cancer' that started in Tehran. Prince Reza Pahlavi added that the Islamic Republic is currently testing the resolve of Israel and the rest of the world to understand how far it can achieve its goals, which he claims are certainly not peace and stability. He stated that the Islamic Republic feels threatened by the idea of peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia within the framework of the Abraham Accords, and that the peace process has been jeopardized due to last week's terrorism and instability. He suggested that the way to confront the Islamic Republic is through 'maximum pressure,' blocking released assets, increasing sanctions, adding the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to the list of terrorist organizations by Europeans, and supporting a 'war' among Iranian citizens against the Islamic Republic. He emphasized, 'If you want to cure the cancer [of the Islamic Republic], you must remove the eye of the octopus and not just settle for fighting its tentacles.' He asserted that ultimately, the solution lies in Tehran and regime change. He stated that terrorism is ongoing, and as long as elements of the Islamic Republic exist, the region will not witness peace and stability. In response to a question regarding Qatar, he said that to his knowledge, the Qataris have denied that the six billion dollars of released Iranian funds have been blocked again. He reminded that this money is just 'a drop in the ocean' that the Islamic Republic may have access to. He warned that if the Islamic Republic gains access to the blocked assets of the Iranian people, it will find the ability to continue its 'campaign to support its proxies' and will not spend it for the Iranian people. Michael McCaul, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, described the situation in the region as 'very dangerous' before Prince Reza Pahlavi's remarks. McCaul expressed concerns that the conflicts could extend beyond Gaza to the region, but currently, the U.S. effort is to contain tensions and allow innocent civilians to move to southern Gaza and ultimately to Egypt after its agreement. He noted that the increase in tensions from Hezbollah and the role of the Islamic Republic is 'very real.' McCaul added that Hezbollah, with about 100,000 missiles, could challenge Israel's Iron Dome system with a significant barrage. The Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee called the Islamic Republic's threat regarding Israel's entry into Gaza 'frightening.' He stated that the goal of Israel's entry into Gaza is to destroy Hamas, and if Hezbollah or the Islamic Republic directly enters the war, his committee has the power to declare war and authorize the use of military force. McCaul mentioned that currently, the U.S. is only providing weapons and military training to Israel. Regarding Robert Malley, he stated that Malley was the U.S. chief negotiator regarding Iran but is now facing investigations by the FBI due to mishandling classified information. McCaul referred to Malley's relationship with members of the 'Iran Experts Initiative.' He noted that with Biden's presidency, the Islamic Republic has been able to earn 30 billion dollars due to 'lack of enforcement' of sanctions, which it has used not only to strengthen its war machine and nuclear program but also to provide 150 million dollars along with weapons to Hamas, which bolstered the group in last week's attack. McCaul also mentioned the release of six billion dollars and its transfer from South Korea to Qatar, stating that contrary to Biden administration officials' claims, the Iranian president has said that the Islamic Republic will spend this money however it wants. McCaul stated that on Monday, he will introduce a plan to impose secondary sanctions on the Doha bank so that this six billion dollars is blocked not temporarily but permanently. He expressed confidence that there are enough votes to pass this plan in the Senate as well. The Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee said that after the Islamic Republic's actions against Israel last week, the U.S. should not give six billion dollars to the Islamic Republic. He mentioned that China supports the Islamic Republic and Russia. McCaul pointed out that a few weeks ago, one of the Hamas leaders was in Russia, stating that Russia, along with Iran and China, are 'accomplices' in Hamas's actions against Israel last week. Following Michael McCaul's interview with Fox News, former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also appeared on the program, stating that the risk of escalating tensions is even 'greater than eight days ago.' Pompeo identified the Islamic Republic of Iran as the 'correct address' for solving the current problem. The former U.S. Secretary of State stated that contrary to Biden administration officials' claims, the Islamic Republic carried out this action, and the response should be against the Islamic Republic. He asserted that as long as the Islamic Republic remains in place, actions like those from the Houthis in Yemen, Shia militias in Iraq, or sleeper cells in Denver or Houston will continue. He expressed confidence that Israel will do its part in confronting the threat from Iran in Gaza. Pompeo further stated that if the Islamic Republic acquires nuclear weapons, several other countries in the Middle East will also go nuclear, which would be 'really bad' for the United States. He recalled that at the end of his tenure as Secretary of State, the Islamic Republic was selling 400,000 barrels of oil daily, but this figure is currently '3.5 to 4 million.' He pointed out the killing of 29 Americans and the hostage-taking of dozens more by Hamas, stating that the Biden administration must end its policy of 'appeasement' towards the Islamic Republic, activate the snapback mechanism, reimpose sanctions against the Islamic Republic, and use all available tools against the Islamic Republic. According to Pompeo, to stop the massacre, Hamas terrorists must be eliminated. In response to the Islamic Republic's threat regarding Israel's entry into Gaza, he stated that the United States has the ability to speak directly with the Islamic Republic and deter them from making threats. He noted that when the Trump administration spoke to the Islamic Republic in this manner, Iranian officials understood 'the real power of America,' and now the Biden administration should adopt such an approach. He concluded his remarks by saying that the expansion of conflicts to the region benefits no one and expressed hope that the Biden administration would act successfully in this regard. Kevin McCarthy, the former Speaker of the House, stated after Mike Pompeo that the situation is 'critical.' He said that the United States must take a 'unified' stance regarding the conflict between Israel and Hamas. According to McCarthy, Hamas alone would not have been able to carry out last week's attack. He called Iran, Russia, and China the 'axis of evil.' McCarthy noted that when Biden became president, the Islamic Republic had only four billion dollars in foreign reserves, but this figure is now 70 billion dollars. He continued that the Islamic Republic is now financially stronger and can finance terrorism. McCarthy emphasized that the United States must confront the current situation robustly. He pointed out the killing of 29 Americans in the Hamas attack and stated that Iran's daily oil sales during Biden's presidency were 400,000 barrels, but now this figure is three million, and the Islamic Republic has more financial capacity to support its terrorist activities. Following the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, senior Biden administration officials, including the President himself, condemned the attack and stated that Israel not only has the right but the duty to defend its citizens, and in this regard, the United States stands with the government and people of Israel. The rocket attack by Hamas on Tel Aviv; American senators were moved to a shelter. Sullivan: The U.S. has warned the Islamic Republic about escalating tensions in Israel. Netanyahu: We will destroy Hamas. A UN humanitarian official stated that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is 'unsustainable.' Sending a deterrent message to the Islamic Republic; the second American aircraft carrier is heading to the region. A former Israeli military official stated that if Hamas is not destroyed, Israel will not have a 'right to exist.' The U.S. Secretary of State stated that his meeting with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia was 'very constructive.' The Israeli army denied attacking a convoy in Gaza that was heading south. The President of Israel met with a bipartisan delegation of U.S. senators. Austin: The deployment of a second aircraft carrier to the region is to prevent hostile actions against Israel. Biden's conversation with Netanyahu and Mahmoud Abbas; warning to any group or country that intends to escalate the conflict. Netanyahu's emergency cabinet; Lieberman joined, but Lapid currently has no plans for it. The U.S. embassy in Israel is evacuating its non-essential staff. The Israeli army is preparing for a wide range of offensive operations against Hamas. The head of the Israeli National Security Council stated: We will end Hamas's rule in Gaza.