Since the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini at the hands of the Islamic morality police, Iranian human rights activists have called on the West to stand with Iranian citizens protesting the Islamic Republic in Iran and enact policies to put pressure on instead of pursuing the nuclear deal that will legitimize this regime.
In doing so, activists have repeatedly demanded that President Biden fire United States Envoy to Iran, Robert Malley, who has been entrusted with handling the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, J.C.P.O.A., better known as the Iran nuclear deal.
Iranian human rights activist Masih Alinejad took to Twitter Monday to demand Malley be terminated over his stance regarding the protests in Iran. In her Twitter thread, Alinejad listed reasons why Malley should be fired from the White House, citing his statements on the Iranian protests and the current situation in Tehran. There has been increased scrutiny of Malley over the weekend from Iranian activists for his tweet that Iranians were protesting to have the Islamic Republic "respect their human rights and dignity,” which many found hypocritical given his position in furthering the nuclear deal.
In her first Twitter post, Alinejad stated that it was time for Malley to "go," stating that he continually misrepresents Iranian’s rejection of the Islamic Republic and that he is "hurting the U.S. administration standing among the people of Iran." The Iranian human rights activist also noted her discussion with White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini and dozens of other teenagers, arguing that the regime is "beyond reform."
Regarding Malley's statement over the weekend, Alinejad described his comments as a "total betrayal of innocent Iranians who sacrificed their lives to say NO to Islamic Regime."
"Iranians are facing guns and bullets inside the country to end a gender apartheid regime. They never asked the government to 'respect' them. They are clearly shouting in the streets that the Islamic Republic must be gone," said Alinejad. She concluded her Twitter thread with "Death to Dictator."
Followers of Alinejad also took to highlight their outrage against Malley, calling on U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and President Biden to hear the voices of the Iranian people and fire Malley with the hashtag #MalleyResign. One user posted a photo from Iran International English of a wall in Tehran with a graffiti photo of Malley and a message that describes him as "lobbying for terrorism."
Some individuals noted Malley's past, collaborating with members of the National Iranian American Council, an organization with affiliations with former and current members of the Islamic Republic.
Activists like Alinejad have helped spread videos, photos, and messages of ongoing demonstrations throughout Iran on social media and national media, calling on Western governments to confront the regime and not open negotiations with Islamic officials.
On social media, many Iranian activists have posted photos and videos of victims arrested, beaten, and killed by Islamic forces in the past few weeks, calling on the international community to sanction the regime and individuals affiliated with members of the Islamic government.
In response to outrage by human rights activists and American and European officials, Iran President Ebrahim Raisi and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei have described the protests the regime as an attempt by foreign governments to overthrow the Islamic Republic. Both officials have called for the security forces, the Basij paramilitary force, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) to step up crackdowns against Iranian citizens. Current and former members of the IRGC have come out against the protests, calling for demonstrators to cease their anti-regime chants and activities or face brutal consequences.
With protests fomenting around the country, the Islamic forces continue to spread all military resources throughout Iran, calling on supporters of the regime to aid security forces in their crackdowns.
