Thread by @kshahrooz

1/ 🧵As Iran's regime collapses, NIAC and the rest of the #IranLobby are desperate to pretend they have not defended it for years. They're putting out messaging that says they've "always" supported "regime change led by the Iranian people".
Is that true?
#مهسا_امینی

2/ I could probably write a 500-tweet thread about how NIAC has talked about regime change over the years. But I'm just gonna do a few tweets to see if they've always been in favour of people-led regime change. (Aside: does NIAC not know that Twitter has a search function?)

3/ Former NIAC president, Trita Parsi
* Regime Change is a false promise
* it's dangerous to romanticize regime change
* it's not what Iranians want; it's a DC cottage industry
* Trump shouldn't have encouraged Iranians to do regime change.

4/ Current NIAC president Jamal Abdi

* talking about regime change undermines human rights. diplomacy (giving the regime $) is "the only viable path"

5/ Research Director, Assal Rad
* if we're gonna call for regime change in Iran, we should do the same in the US over the George Floyd killing. (the premise is that both regimes are the same)
* reference to "Iranians seeking regime change" is hilarious when it shows up on TV.

6/ One more from Assal Rad:

* when there's a pandemic -- in which the supreme leader bans the import of vaccines -- it's wrong to "politicize" things and push for regime change.

7/ Sina "escalated situation" Toosi, former NIAC staff (director of policy, i believe)

* US policy should be based on "good faith engagement" (giving the regime $) not "quixotic" regime change.
* Pushing regime change is "destructive". It's "hatched by authoritarians".

8/ NIAC itself, organizationally

* regime change ppl are like "radicals in Tehran [and] monarchists". The right path is the "Mousavi & reformism current".
* regime change is what ppl outside want but "many inside would oppose". (that insight courtesy of @sanambna

9/ I searched high and low for referenceds to "people led regime change" or "regime change led by the people".
Despite NIAC having "always" having supported that policy (😂) I couldn't find it on their Twitter or website.

10/ I don't even want to provide commentary.
You be the judge. Does the above show an organization that "support[s] regime change led by the Iranian people"?
NIAC, how do you say that with a straight face?

سوراخ موش بخر
#مهسا_امینی
#IranRevolution