Ethnic Opposition to Iran’s Regime Is on the Rise
Lt. Col. (ret.) Michael Segall
Iran’s Ethnic Diversity (U.S. Institute of Peace)
Vol. 16, No. 12 July 26, 2016


Since June 2016, Iran has been enduring terror attacks and assassinations by
ethnic-opposition elements operating within its territory and adjacent to
it.

Attacks on Iranian petroleum infrastructure in Ahvaz are a reaction to Iran’s
ongoing repressive policy against the Arab minority in Ahvaz, including the
ongoing arrests, trials, executions, and expulsions of young people in that
area.

There are currently six to seven million Kurds living in Iran. Although they
are part of the Iranian state, they may be distinguished from the Shiite
minority by language and religion (most Kurds are Sunnis).

The Arab Sunni fighters’ targeting of the oil facilities, if it gains
momentum, could pose a problem for Iran just as it is trying to renew oil
exports after the lifting of sanctions. Attacks on energy infrastructure for
gas and oil could foster an
unsafe, unstable environment for international energy companies.

Iran’s security forces have been cracking down on the Arabs, augmenting this
population’s discontent along with its separatist aspirations.

The Iranian regime, which so far has been spared the regional repercussions
of the Arab Spring – or Islamic Awakening as the regime calls it – is now
starting to feel the effects.

Click here to read the full article.
http://jcpa.org/article/ethnic-opposition-to-irans-regime-is-on-the-rise/

IDF Lt.-Col. (ret.) Michael (Mickey) Segall, an expert on strategic issues
with a focus on Iran, terrorism, and the Middle East, is a senior analyst at
the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs and at Alcyon Risk Advisors.