Journalist Abnousse Shalmani said that weapons should be sent to Iranians in the same manner as military aid is provided to Ukraine [1].
This proposal suggests a shift in how international actors might approach internal instability or resistance movements within Iran. By comparing the situation to the conflict in Ukraine, Shalmani connects the necessity of hardware to the success of political or social movements.
Shalmani made these comments during the program "Le Figaro La Nuit" on Le Figaro [1]. The journalist of Iranian origin said that the current model of supporting Ukraine serves as a precedent for providing military support to those in Iran [1].
"Il faut envoyer des armes aux Iraniens comme on le fait pour l'Ukraine," Shalmani said [1].
The call for arms highlights a debate regarding the role of foreign intervention in Iranian affairs. While some advocate for diplomatic pressure, others suggest that tangible military assets are required to challenge the existing power structure, a strategy that has defined the Western response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Shalmani's remarks focus on the ability of Iranians to defend themselves or pursue a change in governance through armed means [1]. This perspective posits that without such support, the risks to those seeking change remain prohibitively high.
“"Il faut envoyer des armes aux Iraniens comme on le fait pour l'Ukraine"”
The comparison between Iran and Ukraine reflects a growing discourse among some intellectuals and journalists regarding the efficacy of 'hard power' versus sanctions. By framing the Iranian struggle through the lens of the Ukrainian conflict, the argument shifts from supporting civil disobedience to supporting an armed insurgency, which would represent a significant escalation in international policy toward Tehran.
