No War against Iran

To His Excellency George W. Bush, President of the United States

Mr. President
As Americans of Iranian origin and Iranian residents of the United States, we are writing you this letter to express our deep concern about the future of Iran and the Middle East. Our apprehension primarily stems from the open threats directed by yourself and members of your administration toward Iran, after the tragic events of September 11th, 2001. These military threats can never be accepted by Iranians and Americans, such as ourselves, who have major disagreement with Islamic Republic of Iran on many issues but also are deeply committed to democracy, liberty, and mutual respect and peaceful coexistence between the peoples of the world. Our deep desire is to see the universal principles enshrined in the International Covenant of Human Rights respected by all states. However, if the avowed claims of the military threats by yourself and your administration are to bring democracy and freedom to Iran, it needs to be said that nowhere in the world has democracy been a fruit born out of militarism and conquest. Iran is a country with a deep rooted and widespread democratic movement. Its people have been struggling against daunting difficulties, both domestic and international. The military threats, and even more draconian economic sanctions advocated by your administration not only will not help the democratic movement of the Iranian population, but they will strengthen the hand of extremists in Iran, who will use your threats as further justification for cracking down on any and all dissent.

Mr. President;
The claim that Iranвs nuclear program is a вthreatв to its neighbors cannot be accepted either, as some of these neighbors are nuclear powers themselves. All Iranвs neighbors have cordial relations with the country and, it is ironic to say, all these neighbors have warned your administration on various occasions to avoid attacking Iran.

Consequently, it is natural for any peace and freedom loving Iranian, from any background, to come to the logical conclusion that the real reasons behind these latest military threats are massive political miscalculation, or the lobbying efforts of the right wing Israeli government and its supporters in the US.

Mr. President;
We would like to assure you that no freedom loving and democratic Iranian group or individual will support you in a military attack on Iran. Those who encourage you in this path are either associates of terrorist organizations, or extremist elements of the previous dictatorial regime of Iran. They encourage this mounting militarism in the United Statesв toward Iran only to punish the Iranian population and to gain revenge. They harbor no love or affection for either the people of Iran or the United States, nor can they be considered supporters of democracy, or of human dignity and liberty.

Mr. President,
We can clearly foresee the catastrophic results of any military strikes or attacks on Iran for the Middle East and the world. It is our sincere hope that these military threats will never be carried out, and that long overdue, serious, and mutually respectful diplomatic bilateral talks will be held between the United states and Iran, to resolve mutual disagreements.

Mr. President;
If, as you have publicly claimed, you are sincere in wanting democracy and freedom for Iran, the best strategy to attain this goal is to make sure that no extremist group in Iran will be able to point to a credible external military threat, or draconian sanctions, in order to justify repression at home.

Mr. President;
You can be assured that if your administration were to pursue such a constructive and rational course, the people of Iran, and all freedom loving and democratic forces in Iran will be highly appreciative of this expression of solidarity and support by the United States, and pursue their struggle toward democratizing their country with even greater zeal and courage.