American illusion, Iranian cunning: 48 years of blindness toward the ayatollahs | Yoram Ettinger

Yoram Ettinger argues that the Iranian ayatollah regime has demonstrated manipulative skill in its dealings with the United States since 1978, exploiting America's desire to avoid military confrontation and secure oil supplies. According to him, in 2026 the regime is refining this tactic with the help of pro-Iranian bodies, exacerbating regional instability and the oppression of the Iranian population.

In an opinion piece, Yoram Ettinger argues that the Iranian ayatollah regime has demonstrated manipulative skill in its dealings with the United States from late 1978 to the present. According to him, Khomeini's messages led the United States to abandon the Persian Shah and pressure the Iranian military to accept the ayatollah regime, while ignoring the central role of religion and fanatical ideology in shaping the regime's policies. The fanatical Shia ideology, which is non-negotiable, mandates the export of the Islamic revolution, the overthrow of Sunni regimes, and the subjugation of the 'infidel' West. In 2026, Ettinger claims, the ayatollah regime is refining this tactic with the help of the 'National Iranian American Council' (NIAC) and the 'Quincy Institute', which he calls 'isolationist and pro-Iranian', promoting goals of avoiding sanctions and an American attack. The article concludes by asking whether the United States will repeat past mistakes.