Press Release
Iran’s Hypocritical Policy: Betraying the Shiites to Serve the U.S.

In the past few days, more than 500 Muslims in Lebanon have been martyred due to attacks by the Jewish entity, with thousands more injured. These attacks have taken various forms, including the explosion of communication devices such as pagers and walkie talkie systems, as well as aerial assaults targeting women, men, and children. These events have stirred a wave of emotions among Muslims in Afghanistan as well.

Unfortunately, in the modern era, there exists no Khalifah (Caliph) in the Islamic lands to act as a shield against the oppression of the Zionists. As a result, the reaction to these attacks, like other similar incidents, has been limited to verbal condemnations. In condemning these incidents, no difference is evident between the rulers of European countries and those of Islamic lands.

However, rulers such as the Iranian regime and its affiliated groups are busy misleading public opinion and remaining silent in the face of these atrocities. When the brutal crimes and genocide in Gaza have not prompted a reaction from Iran’s rulers, it is evident that the crimes in Lebanon will not move them either. For years, the Iranian regime has torn its throat with slogans of supporting Muslims, especially Shiites, but when the time to take a firm action comes, one could only see their mouth zipped with their betrayal exposed. In reality, the Iranian regime is neither Islamic nor does it feel empathized for Shiites. Iran is a nation-state that exists in the region to serve the American interests, using the slogan as the defender of Shiites merely as a slogan to advance its own policies. These policies deceive a number of shallow thinkers who lack a precise understanding of the political situation.

In fact, any national state that raises the banner of Islam lacks the capability to do something for Muslims. These governments have for years engaged in sowing division among the Islamic Ummah under the names of Sunni and Shiite – as today no Sunni government has taken action for the people of Gaza, nor has any Shiite government acted for the people of Lebanon. This is because these actions (protecting the Muslims) would contradict their national interests and the desires of America. When the US wanted to suppress the Syrian revolution, the same treacherous rulers of the region came forward and quashed the revolution. Iran cooperated with the Americans in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and even proudly acknowledges this cooperation. Likewise, when the American interests required it, Iran supported certain proxy groups under the banner of Shiism and nationalism; but today, as the US policies have changed, Iran has likewise adjusted its policies accordingly. This reality shows that these governments operate solely based on their national interests and the orders of foreign powers, particularly the US, not for the interests of Islam and Muslims, neither Shias nor Sunnis.

Therefore, no individual or group should place their hopes in the support of these rulers, especially the rulers of Iran. These rulers are prepared to betray any group, tribe, or religion in exchange for their own survival. In contrast, Hizb ut Tahrir has leadership that does not lie to its people, is not tainted by sectarianism, and calls on all Muslims to establish the Second Khilafah Rashidah (Rightly-Guided Caliphate). Only through the establishment of the Caliphate based on the method of Prophethood can there be sincere governance that would consider the protection of Muslims, both Sunni and Shiite, as part of its core mission and Islamic duty. As the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:

«إِنَّمَا الإِمَامُ جُنَّةٌ يُقَاتَلُ مِنْ وَرَائِهِ وَيُتَّقَى بِهِ»

“The Imam (Caliph) is a shield, by whose command Muslims fight, and by his strategy, Muslims are protected from the harm of the enemy.” (Abu Dawood)

Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir in Wilayah Afghanistan