Brian Hook: Iranian People Tired of Spending Money on Proxy Wars

The US Special Representative for Iran said on Tuesday, December 10, that Iranian people are tired of spending their money on proxy wars, referring to November protests.

Brian Hook said on Tuesday, December 10, at a Foundation for Defense of Democracies event that the maximum pressure campaign on the Islamic Republic pursues the same demands of the Iranian people and calls on Iranian officials to prioritize their own people rather than ideology.

He emphasized that after ISIS’s defeat, the Islamic Republic is the greatest source of instability in the Middle East.

According to Mr. Hook, for this reason, US maximum pressure will continue until this government becomes a normal government or witnesses its own collapse.

The US special representative’s reference was to Iran’s involvement in the wars in Syria and Yemen. The Islamic Republic is also accused of interfering in the internal affairs of regional countries and destabilizing peace and stability in the Middle East.

The US special representative for Iran said in another part of his remarks that US diplomatic proposals remain on the table and proposals have also been presented by France, Japan, Oman, and Pakistan, but the Islamic Republic has rejected all diplomatic options.

He said the US wants Iran to respond to diplomacy with diplomacy, not hostile actions, but Iran’s leader continues with his wrong choices.

The United States, which withdrew from the JCPOA last spring and imposed severe sanctions on Iran, is seeking negotiations with Tehran to reach a new agreement on nuclear and missile programs and Iran’s role in the region.

Islamic Republic leaders, particularly Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, have rejected any negotiations with America, especially the Donald Trump administration.

Brian Hook described November protests as “the deadliest protests” in Iran in the past forty years.

He again announced that the number of people killed in these protests may exceed one thousand, including teenagers aged 13 and 14.

The US representative for Iran also said he has received reports from families of victims of “money for a shot.”

Mr. Hook, also referring to the killing of protesters in the marshes of Mahshahr, said that over 100 people were killed and “the bodies of the killed were then thrown into trucks and transported.”

He also, referring to the detention of seven thousand people in November protests in Iran, added that the State Department concluded that human rights violations in Fashafuyeh and Qarchak prisons should be condemned and has also informed Congress of this matter.

Mr. Hook referred to overcrowding in prisons, lack of hygiene, presence of mice, and assault on prisoners in Fashafuyeh prison.

He also said that Qarchak prison, as the largest women’s prison, has housed religious minorities within it.

Mr. Hook added that the US demands the freedom of all political prisoners in Iran.

The US representative for Iran emphasized: “The time has come for all countries to stand with the Iranian people and isolate the Islamic Republic government and sanction regime officials.”

He also said that both US parties have consensus that the conduct of the Islamic Republic government is ruthless and unacceptable.

Mr. Hook had previously said that the Islamic Republic’s security and police forces have killed more than one thousand protesters since the protests began over gasoline price increases.

Mark Esper, US Defense Secretary, also considered the protests in Iran on December 6 as evidence of increasing pressure on the Islamic Republic.

“Successful Exchange” of Two Prisoners Between Iran and US

The US special representative for Iran also considered the exchange of two prisoners a success for both sides and a sign that there is a way for negotiations.

Mr. Hook expressed hope that negotiations for prisoner exchanges will continue, including the release of Bob Levinson, who has had the longest imprisonment in Iran.

Iran’s foreign minister and government spokesman declared readiness for the exchange of all Iranian and American prisoners.

Zhao Wang, an American prisoner in Iran, was exchanged on December 6 with Masoud Soleimani, a researcher in stem cells and member of the faculty of Tarbiat Modares University, who was detained in the United States.

Iran’s foreign minister and government spokesman have declared readiness for the exchange of all Iranian and American prisoners. Robert O’Brien, the White House National Security Advisor, had previously said that the US is willing to continue talks for the release of American prisoners in Iran.

Mr. Hook, also referring to remarks by the former US Secretary of State, said that the US seeks a comprehensive agreement with the Islamic Republic that includes all issues including missile testing, proxy activities in the region, and hostage-taking of US citizens.

He, referring to remarks by Iranian officials that sanctions will cause Iranian people to unite against America, added that in recent protests, slogans were only against the Islamic Republic government, not America.

Mr. Hook also said that the Donald Trump administration, with sanctions, has reduced the Islamic Republic’s income and tied its hands and feet.

Source: Radio Farda