Chomsky: Iran intolerable for US as independent force in region

MIT Professor Emeritus Noam Chomsky told Javad Heirannia of Mehr News International Service that US seeks change in Iran because they cannot tolerate an independent force in the region:

Rex Tillerson, US secretary of state, has recently announced that US backs those groups who try for change in Iran. Who are these groups and why Trump’s government has focused on the expired policy of “change of regime in Iran”?

The policy hasn’t expired. The US is unwilling to tolerate an independent force in the region. Furthermore, US leaders cannot forgive Iran for having overthrown the dictator it installed in the 1953 coup.

Regarding the relationship between Iran and its neighbors like Saudi Arabia, which kind of policy has to be adopted by US government on this aspect?

The policy of supporting the Saudi regime should be abandoned, and the US should begin to tolerate independent forces.

Will the newly approved anti-Iran sanctions by Senate be effective to fulfill interests of West and US?

Depends what we think these interests are. If the interests are justice, freedom, peace, then they won’t be effective.

Some experts believe that new adopted non-nuclear sanctions by US against Iran means that Washington restores any dismantled nuclear sanctions in new forms. What is your opinion?

The current administration has formulated no clear policies.

Interview by: Javad Heirannia