Anyone in this region who has experienced occupation firsthand cannot welcome the occupation of Iran. The memory of Iraq alone is enough to make talk of foreign tanks crossing the border a recurring nightmare. The occupation of Iraq and the destruction of its state were not a passing incident in the region’s history, but an open wound in the contemporary world’s memory, and a political and moral scandal in the record of the powers that claimed to have come to liberate the Iraqis, only to unleash chaos. This should have taught the region’s governments, especially the Arab governments that contributed to the 2003 aggression through silence, facilitation or collusion, an unforgettable lesson.  

The people were not involved; there were no Arab streets applauding the occupation. Instead, regimes were calculating their profits and losses behind closed doors, leaving the people to foot the bill alone. 

Therefore, it is futile to search for an Arab ‘public opinion’ that welcomes the occupation of Iran, even if Tehran’s regime is a political opponent or declared enemy. Occupation is one thing and the fall of the regime is quite another. 

The United States is no longer in a position to repeat the Iraq adventure, politically, morally or militarily. US President Donald Trump described the occupation of Iraq as ‘the biggest mistake’ and ‘a war built on lies’, admitting belatedly that the venture brought nothing but costly failure.  

This realisation is no longer limited to traditional opponents of the war; it has also become part of the narrative of the US establishment, which is now seeking alternative ways to manage its conflicts other than direct occupation. Therefore, there are currently no serious US claims about the intention to occupy Iran, nor is there an international environment that would allow........

© Middle East Monitor