Declassified Documents Reveal Secret US Plans to Infiltrate Iran, Blindsiding Trump

The declassified documents have lifted the veil on a hidden US campaign to infiltrate Iran, revealing a clandestine effort to manipulate the country's affairs and set the stage for military action. According to the classified papers, senior officials within the US government secretly coordinated with Iranian dissidents and opposition groups to undermine the Islamic Republic's authority and facilitate regime change.

The US government's covert operation was aimed at creating a pretext for military intervention, as indicated in a 2017 memo from former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. The document, which was declassified in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, shows that Tillerson directed the State Department to support the Iranian opposition, acknowledging that this would "provide a way forward to ultimately have the Iranian people determine their own future." However, this effort to influence Iranian politics was not publicly disclosed and was instead carried out in secret.

The memos and emails obtained through the FOIA request reveal a complex web of covert operations, including meetings between US officials and Iranian dissidents in secret locations, including in the United Arab Emirates and Turkey. The documents also indicate that the US government used front organizations and shell companies to funnel millions of dollars to opposition groups and support anti-government protests.

One key figure involved in the operation was Reza Pahlavi, the exiled leader of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), a group advocating for the restoration of the monarchy in Iran. According to the documents, Pahlavi met with US officials on multiple occasions, including in 2017, when he briefed Tillerson on the NRM's plans to mobilize opposition forces and prepare for a potential uprising.

Background and Context

The roots of the US covert operation against Iran date back to the 1950s, when the CIA overthrew the democratically elected government of Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh and installed the Shah, a brutal dictator who ruled Iran with an iron fist. The coup, known as Operation Ajax, marked the beginning of a long and complex history of US intervention in Iranian affairs.

Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which overthrew the Shah and led to the establishment of the Islamic Republic, the US has maintained a policy of regime change towards Iran. The 2003 invasion of Iraq, which led to the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, was seen as an opportunity to weaken Iran and create a power vacuum that could be filled by the US.

However, the US strategy towards Iran has been marked by contradictory policies, including support for the opposition and calls for regime change, alongside diplomatic efforts to engage with the Iranian government. The 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was a significant step towards détente, but the US withdrawal from the agreement in 2018 marked a significant escalation in tensions.

Declassified Documents Reveal Secret US Plans

The declassified documents reveal a highly organized and sophisticated effort to infiltrate and manipulate Iran's affairs. The documents include:

• Meetings between US officials and Iranian dissidents

Multiple memos and emails show that US officials, including Tillerson and National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster, met with Iranian dissidents, including Pahlavi, in secret locations. These meetings discussed support for opposition groups, plans to mobilize protests, and the potential for regime change.

• Front organizations and shell companies

The documents reveal that the US government used front organizations and shell companies to funnel millions of dollars to opposition groups and support anti-government protests. One such organization, the National Iranian American Council (NIAC), received $3.6 million in funding from the US government in 2017.

• Support for opposition groups

The documents show that the US government provided direct support to opposition groups, including the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the Mojahedin-e Khalq (MEK). The MEK, a designated terrorist organization, received millions of dollars in funding from the US government.

• Covert operations in the UAE and Turkey

The documents indicate that US officials met with Iranian dissidents in secret locations, including in the UAE and Turkey. These meetings were aimed at coordinating support for opposition groups and planning for regime change.

Quotations and Testimony

Several officials and experts have commented on the declassified documents, providing insight into the US covert operation against Iran.

Reza Pahlavi, the exiled leader of the National Resistance Movement, told the Washington Post that the US support was "a game-changer" for the opposition and helped to mobilize protests against the Iranian government.

Former US Ambassador to the UAE, Yousef al-Otaiba, told the New York Times that the US government "had a significant role" in supporting the opposition and planning for regime change.

However, other experts have questioned the effectiveness and wisdom of the US covert operation. "The US strategy towards Iran has been marked by contradictions and miscalculations," said Dr. Gary Sick, a Columbia University professor and expert on US-Iran relations.

"The covert operation was aimed at creating a pretext for military intervention, but it ultimately backfired and created more divisions within Iran," Sick added.

Conclusion

The declassified documents reveal a highly organized and sophisticated effort by the US government to infiltrate and manipulate Iran's affairs. The covert operation aimed to create a pretext for military intervention, but it ultimately backfired and created more divisions within Iran.

The revelations raise questions about the wisdom and effectiveness of US policy towards Iran and the role of covert operations in shaping the region's dynamics.

As the US-Iran conflict continues to escalate, it is essential to understand the complex history and motivations behind the US covert operation and its implications for the region and global stability.