Michael Waltz's Stance on the Islamic Republic as Trump's National Security Advisor Choice

Donald Trump, the elected President of the United States, has chosen Michael Waltz, a Republican representative from Florida, as his National Security Advisor. Waltz has been a strong critic of the Islamic Republic of Iran since his time in Congress. He is not unfamiliar with policy, having served as a representative for Florida in the House of Representatives and being a member of key committees for the past five years. His experiences, including previous roles in the executive branch during years when the Islamic Republic of Iran was a concern for the U.S. government, have shaped his views. On Wednesday, December 13, in an interview with Fox News, Waltz explicitly stated that "a major change in U.S. policy towards the Islamic Republic of Iran will occur." He clearly mentioned that the maximum pressure campaign during Trump's first term was effective and that it would be implemented again. Following the death of Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash, instead of offering condolences, Waltz suggested an alternative for the Biden administration: "Support Iranian dissidents in their fight for freedom. Reimplement the Trump administration's maximum pressure campaign." According to Waltz, maximum pressure will force the Islamic Republic to be more concerned about its survival, thereby reducing its opportunities to threaten Israel and create instability in the region. Like other Republicans, Waltz has been pessimistic about the Islamic Republic's nuclear program. When it was rumored during the Biden administration's nuclear negotiations with Hassan Rouhani's government that the Islamic Republic wanted the Revolutionary Guard removed from the list of terrorist organizations in exchange for stopping its proxy attacks, Waltz wrote on social media that the Guard poses a danger to the U.S. and its allies, and such a move would be a grave mistake. Waltz has also been active in defending human rights in Iran. He has been involved from the beginning in the "Women, Life, Freedom" movement that began with the death of Mahsa Amini. He stated that he believes the Islamic Republic fears Iranian women who seek freedom more than anything else. During that movement, in an interview with the Persian section of Voice of America after the death sentence was issued for Tomaj Salehi, he said that the U.S. is aligned with the Iranian people. Two years ago, when Joe Biden was heading to the Middle East, he expressed hope on social media that Biden would extend a helping hand to women who defy mandatory hijab laws, ending his message with the hashtag "Hijab-No-Hijab." Three and a half years ago, he was alongside Brian Hook, the special representative of Trump's first administration for Iran, and Fatemeh Sepahri as speakers at a conference on the human rights situation in Iran. Six months later, he shared a photo of his meeting with Prince Reza Pahlavi, stating they discussed the current regime, the Iranian people, and their future. Trump's National Security Advisor agrees with Israel that the roots of regional hostilities towards it should be seen in the Islamic Republic. Two days after last year's Hamas attack on Israel, Waltz wrote that the Islamic Republic was 100% behind this attack, and Israel must defend itself, which includes striking at the head of the snake—Iran. Waltz's other political experiences include roles in the White House and the Department of Defense, as he served 27 years in the U.S. Army and National Guard and was a member of the Special Forces Green Berets. The presence of Senator Rubio and Michael Waltz in Trump's cabinet and their explicit positions regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran highlight the introduction of key candidates for positions in Trump's second administration; from Rubio to Waltz and others. Israel is waiting for a tough stance from the Trump administration regarding the Iranian government. The initial composition of Trump's cabinet indicates support for the Iranian people and maximum pressure on the Islamic Republic. Reuters reports that Trump is introducing Senator Marco Rubio for Secretary of State.