In a recent interview, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, expressed her views on how the Biden administration should handle the escalating tensions with Iran. Haley outlined a three-step approach to deal with Iran, which included reinstating sanctions, targeting production sites of missiles in Iraq and Syria, and going after the Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) members who are responsible for making strategic decisions.
Haley emphasized the need to reinstate sanctions as the first step, pointing out that the Biden administration had not enforced existing sanctions effectively over the past three years. She noted concern that Iranian oil shipments and revenues had nearly returned to pre-sanction levels, indicating a lack of action on the part of the Biden administration. Haley suggested that imposing sanctions on Iran's military and Hezbollah's financial network, as announced by President Biden, was a positive step but called for a more robust approach.
Addressing the second step, Haley advocated for conducting targeted strikes on the production sites of missiles in Iraq and Syria. By disabling these facilities, Haley argued that it would undermine Iran's ability to carry out attacks and leave them off guard. She emphasized that the aim was not to bomb the entire country but rather to strategically eliminate key leaders involved in missile production.
When asked about the potential violation of international law, Haley dismissed concerns and suggested alternative methods to support the Iranian people without resorting to military force. She highlighted that the majority of Iranians were against the current regime and proposed aiding them through non-military means. Haley indicated that the Iranian regime's hold on power relied primarily on the use of force and pointed out the possibility of instability when the supreme leader passed away, potentially leading to the fragmentation of the regime.
Haley further expressed her worry about the threat posed by Iran to peace and security in the Middle East. She argued that as long as Tehran continued to support militant groups such as the Houthis in Yemen, Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Shia militias in Iraq and Syria, achieving peace and stability in the region would remain elusive. Haley criticized the lack of action from the international community and called for stronger measures to address Iran's role as a central threat to regional security.
The interview shed light on Haley's perspective regarding the Biden administration's approach to Iran. Her proposed strategy encompassed re-imposing sanctions, attacking missile production sites, and challenging the IRGC's decision-makers. Haley emphasized the importance of sending a strong message to Iran while simultaneously supporting the Iranian people and pursuing non-military avenues for change.
