On Monday, Nigel Farage, a prominent figure in the Brexit movement, stated that Western nations should back President Donald Trump’s call for a ban on Islamic extremist organizations and consider military action against “good people” in Iran.
Farage, known for his advocacy of the Persian community and a return to Iran’s monarchy, addressed a crowd outside the Iranian embassy, where he emphasized his support for the Iranian people. Holding a microphone, he shouted for “freedom for Iran,” expressing admiration for the “beautiful Persian people” and recognizing the painful sacrifices many innocent Iranians are enduring.
Last weekend, the embassy witnessed a remarkable protest by pro-monarchy supporters, where demonstrators, evading British police efforts, replaced the Iranian Islamic flag on a balcony with a historic pre-1979 flag, recalling the infamous Iranian embassy siege of 1980.
Polling at the top of British opinion surveys, Farage attended the protest following a press conference announcing his shift to the Reform UK party, emphasizing a desire to secure an upcoming national election win. He also addressed issues related to Iran and Islamic extremism, urging the UK government to designate Iran’s Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization, stating:
We should have banned the Revolutionary Guards years ago, just like we should have banned the Muslim Brotherhood. I have said these things clearly and consistently for many years, and I have said them repeatedly in recent days. I can’t believe the stupidity of Obama, the European Union and the UK Foreign Office in agreeing to this JCPOA agreement in 2015.
It was a disaster. Iranians now have tens of billions of dollars free, but what did they do with it? To fund the Houthis, Hezbollah, and Hamas. I have always felt strongly against this, as it is a great wound that I have inflicted on myself. We called for regime change against Saddam, we called for regime change against Gaddafi. The regime change we have always needed is in Iran, where the wonderful Persian people, with all their amazing talents, are kept in this theocratic and brutal regime. I very much hope that President Trump takes action within the next few days.
Farage expressed his “100 percent” backing for military efforts targeting the Revolutionary Guards, asserting that such actions would enable the good people to drive the revolution forward.
These remarks came shortly after Farage criticized President Obama during a recent British Reform Rally, denouncing the prolongation of the Iranian regime’s existence through the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, while praising the “brave men and women” in Iran who are protesting and expressing his hopes for their liberation.
Interestingly, Farage’s interest in Iran isn’t something new. He has previously met Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, referring to him as a “very good friend,” and has condemned Tehran’s oppressive government in the past. He also noted that protests in Iran follow a cyclical pattern over decades, which might temper expectations that the recent uprisings could result in substantial change.
…I couldn’t believe that some of the protesters were actually demanding the return of the Shah. Now unless you’re over 50 you don’t remember this, but back in 1979, yes, there was a monarchy. It was very Western in many ways. Indeed, it was actively engaged in trade and had its own great culture. When that revolution happened and the hardline Islamists came to power, I have to say that I didn’t know much about Islam at the time…I certainly hadn’t even heard of the extreme, radical concept of Islam until 1979 and Iran. 38 years later, we are here today.
Farage’s recent statements echo those of President Trump, who indicated the U.S. was prepared to support the Persian people in their quest for freedom, adding that military intervention might occur if violence against civilians escalates, although specifying that this wouldn’t necessarily mean boots on the ground.
