Key is asking who most has motive? Who benefits most? Why was Iran attacked? Why now?

Perpetrators of incidents like Wednesday’s twin terrorist attacks in Tehran likely have backers – planning and orchestrating things with specific objectives in mind.

The Tehran attacks killed at least 16, injuring dozens more, the severest incident in many years, targeting key symbols of the 1979 revolution, suggesting more of the same may follow.

Heavy security protecting Iran’s Majlis (parliament) was penetrated. Henceforth, Ayatollah Khomeini’s shine will be more diligently guarded.

Attacking it was the equivalent of terrorists targeting the Statue of Liberty, Lincoln Memorial or Washington Monument in America.

Security always is heavy in Tehran and other key areas in the country, likely to be stepped up henceforth. Since its 1979 revolution, Iran has been targeted by America and Israel for regime change.

Saudi Arabia is a key adversary. On Wednesday, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) issued a statement, saying Wednesday’s attacks came days after Trump’s meeting with “the rulers of a regional reactionary regime” involved in supporting takfiri terrorists – blaming Riyadh and Washington for what happened, adding:

The “IRGC has proved that it would not leave unanswered the shedding of innocent blood.”

The IRGC’s second-in-command General Hossein Salami said

“(w)e will remain steadfast in fighting terrorists, and we will surely take revenge on terrorists, their affiliates and their supporters for the blood of the martyrs of today’s two terrorist attacks.”

A statement by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said

“(t)he Iranian nation…will prove once again that it will crush any plot or scheme by ill-wishers through unity and solidarity and its powerful security structure.”

Iranian Islamic Revolution leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei made similar comments, expressing resolve to defend the nation effectively.

Hours before the attacks, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said

“Iran must be punished for its interference in the region.”

Weeks earlier, Saudi deputy crown prince Mohammad bin Salman vowed to battle Iran in its territory, not the kingdom’s homeland.

Saudi Arabia is the epicenter of regional terrorism sponsored by rogue Arab states. Following Wednesday’s incidents, al-Jubeir turned truth on its head, saying

“(w)e condemn terrorist attacks anywhere they occur and we condemn the killing of the innocent anywhere it occur” – denying Riyadh involvement.

ISIS claimed responsibility for the incidents – the group supported by Washington, NATO, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Israel and other regional rogue states.

They all have motive to destabilize Iran. They benefit from weakening Tehran if achieved.

Iran is targeted for its sovereign independence, its vast oil and gas reserves Washington wants to control. It’s Israel’s key regional rival.

It’s involved in defending Syria from US-orchestrated aggression, wanting regime change in both countries.

Wednesday’s incidents followed President Rouhani’s reelection. It came at a time when Iran, Hezbollah, Russia and government forces continue making progress against America’s imperial project in Syria.

Trump outrageously blamed Iran for what happened, a White House statement turning truth on its head, saying

“states that sponsor terrorism risk falling victim to the evil they promote.”

Washington, NATO, Israel and Saudi Arabia are its leading perpetrators – Iran one of its key opponents.

It’s opposition to the imperial projects of America and Israel leaves it vulnerable to hostile acts by both countries and their rogue allies.

Terrorism doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Without foreign backing, it can’t exist.

Incidents similar to Wednesday’s coordinated attacks in Iran can happen anywhere sponsors of ISIS and like-minded groups wish to target.

Washington seeks unchallenged global dominance, using these groups as imperial foot soldiers.

As long as its ruthlessness persists, the scourge of terrorism will continue threatening humanity.

A Final Comment

On Thursday, Iran’s Security Ministry said five of the terrorists involved in Wednesday’s coordinated incidents in Tehran “earlier left Iran and conducted terrorist activity in Raqqa and Mosul.”

“Last year, they returned to the country under the leadership of the commander, Abu Aish, to carry out terrorist attacks in the holy places of Iran.”

Iranian “security services eliminated Abu Aish.” Its intelligence ministry said three teams were involved in Wednesday’s attacks, some of their members arrested before the incidents occurred.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at [email protected].

His new book as editor and contributor is titled “Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III.”

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.

Featured image: Omid Vahabzadeh/TIMA