Page 41 - Jewish News_January-2021

COMMENTARY January 2021 41A

A new look at Iran

By Rabbi Howard A. Simon
n Friday, November 27, Iran’s Today, Tehran exports only about a site, which hosted Iranian delegates in
top nuclear scientist, Mohsen quarter of its 2.5 million barrels of Syria and the headquarters of the sev-
OFakhrizadeh, known as the fa- oil a day, which costs the government enth division of Syria’s armed forces some time. We wait and we watch for
ther of the country’s nuclear program, $50 billion in annual revenues. At the responsible for the Golan Heights re- further developments in what is be-
was shot and killed, thus dealing a ma- same time, Iran’s rial has lost 80% of gion, was attacked. coming an ever-so-changing Middle
jor blow to Tehran’s atomic ambitions its value against the dollar. In the past, Iran has armed Houthi East.
and threatening to increase tension A separate problem facing Iran is rebels in Yemen, has armed Hezbol- Rabbi Howard A. Simon is the found-
between Iran and its foes. that the United Nations lah forces and has continued to threat- ing chair of the Robert and Esther
This follows on the heels of Atomic Energy Commis- en Lebanon. Given Iran’s economic Heller Community Relations Commit-
Sudan, a one-time partner sion recently reported that problems, it is more difficult for Iran tee, formerly known as the Heller IAI.
with Iran against Israel and Iran continues to build up to keep responding to the needs of its
its Middle East policies, its stockpile of enriched allies, thus lessening the positive influ- Crossword Puzzle
joining the United Arab uranium and now holds ence of Iran in a variety of areas. This Solution to puzzle on page 33A
Emirates (UAE) and Bah- roughly 12 times the also means that the country’s influence
rain in recognizing Israel amount permitted under in the area is diminishing.
and establishing relations the 2015 nuclear agree- The opportunity for investment by
with the Jewish state. ment. With the death Israel in her newfound friends, plus
Iran’s Supreme Leader, of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, travel between the countries by citi-
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Rabbi Howard A. Simon Iran loses the manager zens of each country, is beneficial for
had threatened both the UAE and Bah- of its weaponization program and all concerned and represents a major
rain over its association with Israel. He the man who decided where to put problem for Iran. Iran will not fade
hoped such threats would deter other people and how to keep the program from the scene, but if Israel’s outreach
Middle Eastern countries from normal- secret. to other Middle Eastern countries is
izing relations with Israel, but such is While these problems have esca- greeted with acceptance, the impor-
not the case. Iran now must concern it- lated, the concerns for Iran deepened tance of Iran in the area will be dimin-
self with the possibility that other Mid- because Israeli military struck Iranian ished, which has been Israel’s goal for
dle Eastern countries might join this and Syrian military targets in Syria af-
coalition. The reality of these events ter Iran-backed fighters placed impro- What do you think?
underscores the fact that Iran is losing vised devices on the fence separating
its control of the region. Israel and Syria. In retaliation, Israeli
Add to this the financial reality aircraft struck targets, including the The Jewish News wants to know!
facing Iran, and the country is seen Iranian military headquarters near the
to have additional interior problems. Damascus airport. A second military Send an email to jewishnews18@gmail.com.

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