How Democrats Are Enabling Khomeini’s Agenda

The world is witnessing a steady escalation in tensions playing out in the Gulf. Regional experts are debating the drivers behind this conflict and prospects of future lethal entanglements. Many on the Left blame US President Donald Trump’s National Security Adviser, John Bolton, and his “warmonger’ tactics as the root of rising tensions. In the past two weeks, mainstream media outlets have attempted to disconnect Bolton’s hard-liner policy recommendations from the president. This tactic to disassociate Bolton’s views from the Presidents’ is clearly meant to undermine the administration’s Iran policy.

Those who are blaming Bolton as the sole arbiter for rising tensions are actually emulating the rationale behind the Iranian leadership. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has recently coined the “B” team narrative, referring to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud and America’s John Bolton.

Zarif’s strategy to shift the world’s attention off Iran’s own aggressive actions and onto John Bolton is stealthy yet blatant. However, many on the Left are employing this exact strategy. On an interview with MSNBC, Bernie Sanders stated “the architect of the effort right now to get us into war in Iran was the architect to getting us into war in Iraq. That is John Bolton. I worry about provocations on the part of the US against Iran.” This declaration followed reports in which US State Department officials confirmed threats in the region were in fact credible and based on intelligence that highlighted aggressive actions Iranian-backed militias were pursuing against the US in Iraq as well as other areas in the MENA region. This tactic of ignoring Iranian belligerence and pointing the finger at Bolton instead is a common trend among the American Left today.

The fact that some Democrats are in agreement with the Ayatollah should be cause for alarm, but apparently supporting any Trump policy is more detrimental than echoing the words of one of the world’s most radical authoritarian dictators.

In late April, Zarif discussed a wide range of topics on the Asia Society’s stage in New York. Throughout the question and answer component of this panel, Zarif targeted the UAE and Saudi Arabia, labeling these countries are “clients” of the United States. He warned that “accidents, plotted accidents are possible.”

Three weeks later, four oil vessels were attacked off the port of Fujairah on the Gulf of Oman. Two of the tankers were owned by Saudi Arabia and one by the UAE. These attacks occurred outside the Strait of Hormuz, a critical and strategic waterway. According to the US Energy Information Administration, almost a fifth of the world’s oil consumption passes through the Strait. The port of Fujairah itself is home to the exit point of the Adcop pipeline, which allows Saudi Arabia to bypass the strait and export its oil directly to Arabian Sea.

Iran was demonstrating to the US that they are in fact capable and can interrupt the flow of oil and upset the global economic market. To suggest this is a politicized ploy created by Bolton to further escalate tensions is truly absurd and only strengthens the Ayatollah’s anti-American agenda.

Yes, Bolton does emphasize a tough line to Iran. However, the regime’s recent acts of belligerence as well as overt and covert support of groups acting against US interests must be countered with strong rhetoric at the least. Democrats who aim to undermine the Trump administration’s efforts on this front are enabling Iran’s ruthless regime ambitions.

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