Goldberg herself is worth between $30 to $60 million and has enjoyed a very successful career. She appears unaware of her own privileges and the fact that being black has not held back her success.
I was still shaking my head about Goldberg’s ignorance when I came upon an article in the New Zealand Herald. It was syndicated from the New York Times and drew from me a groan of frustration.
First of all, the subheading is stupid. Khamenei has said many things and promised all sorts, much of it is complete bullsh*t. We know that despite his fatwa on nuclear weapons, Iran has been beavering away developing them for years.
Nuclear Iran
Those who are suspicious of Israel, the United States, or even Donald Trump, and who love to play the "West are always the bad guys” game, will try to spin Iran's nuclear ambitions as nothing to worry about. But this isn’t some new Trumpian scrap. This is decades in the making and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been raising alarm bells; for good reason. Iran is clearly not sticking to its non-proliferation commitments.
This month, for the first time in nearly two decades, the IAEA’s 35-nation Board of Governors officially declared Iran in breach of its obligations. Why? Because Iran refuses to address the questions surrounding its undeclared nuclear activities. Oh, and let’s not forget the stockpile of uranium. It’s sitting at over 408 kilograms. That’s more than enough to build several nuclear weapons if it’s further enriched. But hey, Iran’s official stance is that this nuclear program is all for peaceful purposes (LOL!).
Iran’s response has been typical. Threats to pull out of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, cut ties with the IAEA, and a ramping up of their defiant rhetoric.
Israel-Iran tensions
Last week, Israel launched a significant military operation against Iran; a dramatic escalation in their longstanding tensions. Operation Rising Lion targeted over a hundred sites across Iran, including nuclear facilities, military bases, and command centres. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the strikes as a preemptive measure to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, which Israel views as an existential threat.
Former Israeli government spokesperson, Eylon Levy, made this crystal clear in interviews across Western news outlets: “The reason we have a conflict with Iran is that the Iranian regime doesn't want Israel to exist, and Israel wants to exist.”
This is not an exaggeration. It is not even a secret whispered behind closed doors. Iran's leadership has been calling for Israel’s destruction for decades. In fact, Iran's rhetoric on this matter has been consistent since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. It's not just a political position; it’s a central tenet of Iran’s foreign policy.
Supreme Leader Khamenei, who has held the reins in Iran since 1989, is notorious for his outspoken hatred of Israel. In 2005, he openly declared that the ultimate goal of the Islamic Republic is the "elimination of the Zionist regime." In 2018, Khamenei reaffirmed his stance: "The day will come when the ‘Zionist regime’ will collapse." Iran wants Israel gone and they’re not subtle about it.
The Iranian government has never recognised Israel’s right to exist, and since 1979, they’ve maintained zero diplomatic ties with Israel. Iran also backs terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, both of whom are hell-bent on destroying Israel. Iran provides weapons, training, and financial support to these extremist forces. Support for these groups is part of its wider agenda to destabilise the region and weaken Israel’s security.
Why should the West care?
Well, if you're one of those who thinks “Israel’s problem isn’t ours,” I have some bad news. Iran doesn’t just see Israel as a target. They view Israel as a product of Western imperialism. The Iranian regime, under Khamenei, has made it abundantly clear: Israel is the first domino, and the West is next.
“Death to Israel!” is a common cry in Iran. Almost as common is “Death to America!” Israel may be the immediate target, but Iran’s ultimate aim is far broader. They want to push out Western influence in the Middle East and spread their own brand of Islamic revolution. So, it’s Israel today, the rest of the West tomorrow.
And that is why we should be very concerned about Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the Iranian regime has branded the United States as the "Great Satan." This label encapsulates the regime's view of the US as a symbol of imperialism, exploitation, and the oppressive Western power structure. They believe the US seeks to control and exploit Middle Eastern resources, particularly oil.
The sanctions imposed by the US and the EU, particularly those tied to Iran's nuclear program, fuel this deep-seated resentment. Iran doesn’t just see these sanctions as political leverage; they view them as an attempt to choke their development, to undermine their independence.
But here’s the thing: Iran doesn't just hate Western foreign policy, it hates our way of life. To them, the West is morally bankrupt, decadent, and spiritually corrupt. In contrast, Iran's leadership is committed to an Islamic lifestyle based on Shia principles, rejecting the secularism and liberal values that dominate the West. The spread of Western individualism, secularism, and materialism poses a direct challenge to Iran’s authoritarian, religious worldview. This is ideological warfare.
For Iran, opposition to the West isn’t just political, it’s inherently theological. Shia Islam carries a belief in the return of the Mahdi, the Twelfth Imam, who they believe will lead the Muslim world to triumph over injustice. Iran’s leadership aligns its actions with this eschatological narrative, portraying itself as an instrument in preparing for the Mahdi’s return. Resistance to the West, in this view, is part of a divine, apocalyptic struggle.
Iran seeks to spread the principles of the Islamic Revolution initiated by Ayatollah Khomeini and to establish Islamic governance based on Shia principles. This is why you’ll see countries like Saudi Arabia, and other primarily Sunni states in the region, aligning with Israel and the West to prevent Iran from gaining regional hegemony.
Shia and Sunni are the two largest branches of Islam and the divide between them is centuries old, dating back to the dispute over who should succeed the Prophet Muhammad after his death in 632 CE. Today, Sunni Muslims make up roughly 85-90% of the Muslim world, while Shia Muslims account for around 10-15%.
Iran's expansionist goals are centred around growing the Shia sphere of influence. This is why they finance and collaborate with Shia-majority or Shia-influenced countries and groups, such as Hamas in Palestine, Hezbollah in Lebanon, various militias in Iraq, the former Assad regime in Syria, and Houthi rebels in Yemen. Iran sees itself as the leader of promoting Shia Islam and resisting what it views as Sunni and Western-led attempts to control the region.
Saudia Arabia is Iran’s biggest Islamic rival in the region based primarily on religious and political rivalry. One of the most direct manifestations of Saudi opposition to Iranian expansionism has been the war in Yemen. Saudi Arabia has led a coalition against the Houthi rebels, who are supported by Iran. This conflict is seen as part of the larger struggle between Saudi Arabia and Iran for regional supremacy.
While Iran talks often about the global spread of the Islamic Revolution, it's clear that their main focus right now is on consolidating power regionally. They want to dominate the Middle East first. So, the game is on, and it’s a high-stakes, ideological, and religious battle that’s playing out with potentially devastating consequences.
What is the Islamic Revolution and how did it come about in Iran?
The Iranian Revolution of 1979 was a pivotal moment in the Middle East. It toppled the monarchy, replaced it with the Islamic Republic of Iran, and catapulted Ayatollah Khomeini into power. This seismic shift was driven by a cocktail of political, social, and economic factors; widespread discontent with the Shah’s autocratic rule, the rapid Westernisation of Iranian society, stark economic inequality, and the desire for a governance system rooted in Islamic values. Khomeini’s vision became the cornerstone of the new regime, blending theocracy with elements of republicanism, creating a system that was as much about religious control as it was about political rule.
Life in Iran before the Islamic Revolution in 1979.
Life for Iranians post-revolution? A complete overhaul. The new Islamic government rolled out strict religious laws, reshaping everything from women's rights to public behaviour. Gone were the secular policies of the Shah. Arts and entertainment faced heavy restrictions, and personal freedoms shrank. Women were forced to adopt the hijab, and a rigid Islamic code dictated everyday life. For many, this was a far cry from the freedoms they had once enjoyed under the monarchy.
Decades after the revolution, Iran continues to grapple with the tension between revolutionary ideals and the realities of a changing world. Modernisation, globalisation, and rising internal discontent constantly challenge the theocratic state. The younger generation, in particular, has found itself at odds with the regime’s grip on power, yearning for more freedom; social, political, and economic. Despite the brutal suppression of dissent, protests have flared up repeatedly, often driven by anger over economic mismanagement, political corruption, and the stifling of personal liberties.
Demonstrators protest in September 2024 outside United Nations headquarters against the Iranian government behind placards featuring the faces of women who have been executed by in Iran
Women’s rights in Iran
Women’s rights in Iran are nothing short of oppressive, with a suffocating system that dictates nearly every aspect of their lives. Something Whoopi Goldberg clearly cannot comprehend. Beyond the enforced dress codes and the culture of modesty, women face a staggering array of restrictions and brutalities that limit their freedom and autonomy.
The legal age for marriage in Iran is set at 13 (it was 18 for women, 20 for men, before the Islamic Revolution), though girls far younger are often married off. This sets the stage for a lifetime of subjugation, with little recourse for escape. Men hold unilateral rights over divorce; they can easily dissolve a marriage. But for women? They can only request a divorce, and even then, the process is lengthy, complicated, and ultimately dependent on a judge’s approval. Even if a woman is granted a divorce, the financial settlement is weighted against her, leaving her economically vulnerable. In custody battles, the father (or his family) is most often awarded custody of children.
Child bride in Iran.
On top of that, women in Iran are forced to seek permission from their male guardian, whether it's their father, husband, or another male relative, just to travel abroad. Public spaces are segregated by sex, meaning women are often excluded from things like sporting events. Their participation in public life is tightly controlled.
Domestic violence is another epidemic that Iranian women are forced to endure, with no meaningful legal protection. Perpetrators of violence against women face little, if any, real consequences. And in cases where women are accused of dishonouring their families, perhaps due to premarital relationships or fleeing an abusive marriage, they can become victims of honour killings; at the hands of family members or sanctioned by the state.
This isn’t just a cultural issue; it’s a systematic, government-sanctioned oppression that leaves women in Iran with few options for liberation, justice, or basic human rights. The regime has built a society in which women’s worth is reduced to their obedience.
What about the gays?
In Iran, being gay is not just a crime, it is one of the most severe offences, punishable by some of the harshest penalties imaginable, including death. The Iranian regime considers homosexuality deeply immoral and enforces these brutal laws through its interpretation of Islamic law (Sharia). Same-sex relationships are criminalised, with those caught engaging in such activities facing severe punishments, including the death penalty for sodomy. Lesbianism is also criminalised, with women subjected to flogging, imprisonment, or in extreme cases, the death penalty. The Iranian government is notorious for using torture and forcing confessions from individuals accused of same-sex activity.
The execution of two teenagers convicted under Iran's anti-homosexuality laws.
Social consequences are high too. Homosexuality is considered taboo in Iran, and there is widespread social stigma. Iranian society is deeply influenced by conservative Islamic values and those who are perceived to be homosexual often face rejection from family, friends, and their communities. Gays and lesbians who are discovered or outed may be pressured to undergo so-called “corrective” treatment, such as conversion therapy or forced marriages to conform to societal expectations. They also may be subjected to violent “honour” punishments.
Living as a homosexual in Iran means living in constant fear. Fear of being discovered, fear of arrest, fear of violence, fear of losing everything. The weight of this fear forces many to hide their true selves, knowing that being outed can lead to persecution, torture, and even death.
But, what do they think of transgender people?
Iran has an official policy of promoting gender reassignment surgeries, but it’s not quite as ‘progressive’ as it may first appear. People who are discovered to be homosexual may be coerced or forced into undergoing ‘sex-change’ operations. This creates a twisted scenario where ‘transitioning’ is less as an act of personal identity and more as a way to ‘cure’ someone of their homosexuality.
The policy stems from a fatwa issued by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini in the 1980s, declaring that gender transition was acceptable under Islamic law if it was medically necessary eg as a way to get rid of homosexuality. So while Iran may boast one of the highest rates of gender-reassignment surgeries, it's important to understand that these procedures are often performed under duress and are part of a wider agenda to suppress homosexuality, not to promote genuine transgender rights. It’s a policy that dehumanises and forces individuals to conform to rigid, state-enforced norms.
And who else has a hard time?
The Islamic regime’s oppressive theological authoritarianism impacts the entire population in many ways. Iran is a multi-ethnic country, and minorities suffer widespread discrimination and marginalisation. For instance, Kurdish activists, intellectuals, and political leaders are frequently targeted for arrest, imprisonment, or execution. Kurdish areas are some of the poorest in the country, with accusations of government neglect. Similarly, Arabs in Iran are systematically excluded from government positions, relegated to poverty, and stripped of political freedoms. Arab political activists and protesters face brutal repression by security forces, including torture and execution.
The oppression isn’t confined to ethnic minorities either. Iran’s treatment of religious minorities is horrific, with the government enforcing strict adherence to Shia Islam and little tolerance for diversity. The Baha'i community, despite originating in Iran, faces some of the worst persecution in the country. Baha'is are barred from government roles, higher education, and religious practice, often enduring arrests, imprisonment, executions, or the confiscation of their property. Their religious centres are banned, and their holy books are seized.
Christians, while technically allowed to practice their faith, face severe restrictions. Evangelical activities, including proselytising or conversion, can lead to arrest and imprisonment. As for the tiny Jewish population in Iran, it’s not hard to imagine how they fare.
The Sunni minority in Iran also suffers freedom restrictions, particularly in terms of religion, employment, and political participation. In some regions, Sunni mosques are forbidden to operate freely, and Sunni leaders are regularly harassed and arrested.
Naturally, it is a really bad idea to oppose the Iranian government if you wish to remain alive. Political dissidents, reformists, and pro-democracy advocates are systematically crushed by the regime. Opposition is silenced through arbitrary arrests, imprisonment (without trial), torture, and execution. Charges like "sedition," "enmity against God," and "corruption on earth" are often levied to justify the brutal treatment of those who challenge the regime’s authority.
Iran is also one of the most dangerous countries for journalists. Reporters who dare to expose corruption, human rights violations, or government oppression face arrest, harassment, and imprisonment. The government tightly controls the media, and independent journalists who defy censorship are subjected to imprisonment and physical abuse. It’s clear: the regime’s grip on power is maintained through fear, violence, and systematic repression of anyone who dares to speak out or stand against it.
A warning to leftists
In many ways, history is repeating itself when it comes to the left's involvement with Islamic regimes. During the Iranian Revolution of 1979, left-wing activists played a pivotal role in overthrowing the Shah’s autocratic rule. A broad coalition of Marxists, socialists, liberals, and other progressive groups united to challenge inequality, corruption, and Western imperialism. But after the revolution, these same left-wing groups found themselves sidelined and then persecuted by the very regime they helped bring to power.
"Flower Garden," also known as the "place of the damned." Khavaran cemetery in Tehran, housing the remains of religious minorities, as well as Marxists, leftists, and other "antirevolutionaries" and "nonbelievers."
They were useful, until they weren’t.
Khomeini and his followers quickly consolidated power, sidelining the leftists. Despite promising a broad coalition government that would represent various political factions, Khomeini’s vision was rooted in theocracy, which clashed head-on with the secular and Marxist ideologies of the left. As the Islamist leadership took control of key institutions, tensions escalated. Leftists, who pushed for secular reforms, found themselves at odds with Khomeini’s agenda of instituting Islamic law (Sharia).
The Islamists soon viewed the left as a threat to their vision of an Islamic state. The conflict between the two sides reached its peak in the early 1980s, culminating in a brutal crackdown. In 1981, the Islamic regime launched a violent purge, arresting, torturing, and executing thousands of left-wing activists, intellectuals, and political dissidents.
What started as an alliance of convenience for the left was quickly turned on its head as the Islamic regime’s desire for absolute control took precedence. The left’s role in the revolution had been a fleeting one, discarded once it no longer served the regime’s theocratic objectives. It’s a painful reminder of how easily ideologies can be co-opted and discarded by those who see power as the ultimate prize.
So who is Ayatollah Ali Khamenei?
The New York Times article mentioned earlier calls Khamenei the “reclusive Supreme Leader” and says that he has “been at the heart of Iran’s hardline foreign policy, positioning the country as a counterweight to American, Israeli, and Saudi influence across the Middle East.”
The piece presents him as a largely neutral figure and makes no mention of the suffering he has inflicted on his people and the freedoms he oppresses every day. This portrayal is not only misleading, it’s dangerously naïve.
Incredibly, the article appears to suggest that we take his word that Iran isn’t up to anything dodgy with nuclear weapons and that is just Israel and the West accusing them of it.
Khamenei issued a religious ruling, or fatwa, in 2003 declaring nuclear weapons forbidden under Islam.
But Israel and Western governments have long accused Tehran of seeking the capability to build a bomb if it so chooses.
This ignores the fact that Iran's nuclear program has been a subject of international scrutiny and concern for over two decades. As of early 2025, Iran reportedly had enough uranium enriched to 60% to potentially produce nine nuclear weapons if further enriched. Such high enrichment levels have raised concerns among international observers, as no other country has enriched uranium to this degree without pursuing nuclear weapons.
Additionally, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reported finding traces of uranium at several undeclared sites in Iran. These sites are suspected of being connected to past nuclear weapons research. This year, the Centre for Strategic and International Studies reports indicated that Iran was developing nuclear-capable missiles using designs provided by North Korea. This collaboration suggests that Iran may be seeking to enhance its delivery systems.
Everyone knows what they are doing!
The sanitising of the Islamic Regime’s actions and of Khamenei himself, by Western media is frankly suicidal. The general public should know what we are dealing with. These aren’t some quirky religious guys in the desert who just hate Israel. These are Islamic expansionists who want to destroy the West.
Under Khamenei’s leadership, Iran has seen significant suffering, repression, and conflict. He has overseen many violent repressions of his people, ruling with fear. Khamenei's rule has been marked by continued use of the death penalty, particularly for political dissidents, activists, and those deemed to be "enemies of the state." Thanks to him, Iran has one of the highest execution rates in the world.
As already traversed, Khamenei has been the most significant force behind many of the worst terrorist groups in the Middle East. He has provided financial, military, and logistical support to these groups, which have carried out numerous attacks on civilians and military targets in Israel, Syria, Iraq, and beyond. These alliances have contributed to regional instability and violence.
Puff pieces written by useful idiots for Western media are invaluable to creating the narrative that Iran is the victim of the West’s imperialism and Israel’s trouble-making. While I don’t advocate for warmongering propaganda that drives war as the only option, it is important that the people in the West are aware of our interests in these conflicts. People should know what we stand to lose.
If Iran is left to its own devices it will do its best to destroy Israel and eradicate the Jewish population. Then, without the one liberal Western-ish state in the Middle East, they will turn their attention to the West and in particular America.
And then what? What will be left to stop them?
Ani O'Brien comes from a digital marketing background, she has been heavily involved in women's rights advocacy and is a founding council member of the Free Speech Union. This article was originally published on Ani's Substack Site and is published here with kind permission.
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