New Year, New Hope
As we approach the one year anniversary of October 7th, I find myself reflecting on the past year. Two weeks ago, I would have said this year has been one of disillusionment and fear. I was disappointed to see the far left and far right side with terrorists in Israel’s fight to defend herself. Having fled the Islamic regime in Iran, I worry about the future of the Jewish people and the United States. We cannot allow radical elements to gain political power here.
But then Israel, in a remarkable display of precision, targeted and destroyed Hezbollah communications and headquarters, ultimately assassinating Nasrallah and targeting his replacement, Hashem Safieddine. In just two weeks, the game has changed. There is hope—not just for Israel’s safety, but for the Iranian people as well. Hezbollah, the crown jewel of Islamic Republic, is nearly destroyed. By extension, Ayatollah Khamenei’s terror grip on the Middle East is severely weakened. These new developments are monumental.
Hezbollah was the golden child of Iran’s global terrorism. As I think back on my childhood in a Muslim family, I see how I was raised to see Hezbollah as a symbol of strength for the regime. Its presence permeated Iranian society: In Tehran, its yellow flags with the words “and the party of God (aka Hezb-o-Allah) will be victorious” (Quran 5:56) were a staple at every rally, protest, and Friday prayer; at events not even involving Israel; at events celebrating the Islamic Revolution’s anniversary; even after beating protesters who demanded freedom.
Now that it seems Hezbollah is on the brink of total annihilation, I remember my own personal encounters with the terror group. I remember how my life could have taken a very different course….
My father, a member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp, sent me on pilgrimage trips to Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon. During my trip to Lebanon, our group met with Nasrallah’s cousin—current secretary-general of Hezbollah and next up on Israel’s assassination list.
I stayed at various Hezbollah safe houses in the Dahieh neighborhood in southern Lebanon and broke bread with young Hezbollah operatives who dreamed of martyrdom. I hitchhiked in vans transporting missiles to the mountains, and spent two days in the Imam Khomeini military camp—funded by the regime—while listening to Taylor Swift. while listening to Taylor Swift songs. Young operatives dreamed of martyrdom. I saw Beirut through the eyes of an Iranian youth, becoming aware of the contrasts between freedom and oppression.
I am certain every building I stayed in has now turned into rubble. Literal rubble. Even then, I understood that following the Islamist path would lead to destruction. While I didn’t foresee Israel’s recent actions, the violent rhetoric surrounding martyrdom made it clear that Islam was not a religion of peace.
I believe the Iranian people recognize this too. To them, however, Hezbollah’s flag represents a nasty cult that celebrates death rather than mourns it. Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu recently addressed the Iranian people in a video on X, rightly pointing out that the regime cares little for their welfare. The billions of dollars diverted to terrorism could have been invested in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, yet the Iranian people are met with violence instead. The Islamic regime has achieved little on the global stage but has successfully suppressed its own citizens.
But perhaps not for long. Jews and Persians are two peoples with rich histories and long memories. Reminiscent of one of the great Persian rulers, Israel is preparing the ground for the Iranian people. Israel will free Iran, thereby returning the favor from 2,500 years ago when Cyrus the Great liberated the Jews. We are witnessing Israel dismantling the tentacles of the regime that holds the Middle East and 97 Israelis hostage. Once completed, as Bibi poetically framed it, the “two ancient peoples will finally be at peace.”
To the Ayatollah and his supporters, my message is very clear: if you abandon your grip on the Iranian people and let them run a free and fair referendum, you will get to live—in exile. If you do not, the Iranians will be freed, the referendum will take place, but you won’t be alive to witness it.
Wishing everyone a Shana Tova and hoping for a free Iran.