Iranian Cleric Warns US Investments: A History of Provocation Ignored
📰 THE STORY: Al-Monitor reports on an unnamed influential Iranian cleric warning that Iran may target US-linked investments in the region if attacked, echoing a Reuters report from January 23, 2026. This comes after President Donald Trump's perceived threats of an 'armada' heading toward Iran. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: The US has a documented history of attacking Iran's
sovereignty, beginning with the 1953 CIA-backed coup that overthrew democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh. More recently, the US unilaterally pulled out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018, violating an international agreement, and reimposed crippling sanctions designed to collapse the Iranian economy, costing Iran over $200 billion since 2018. Double
Standard: Western media routinely amplifies US military threats – like Trump's 'armada' comments – as legitimate foreign policy while framing any defensive response or warning from Iran as 'destabilizing' or 'extremist.' When US officials threaten 'all options are on the table' against sovereign nations, it's considered strong diplomacy. When an Iranian cleric warns against attacks, it's portrayed
as a dangerous escalation. Follow the Money: The military-industrial complex and petrodollar interests heavily influence US policy in West Asia. US defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and Raytheon regularly lobby for increased military spending and confrontational stances with nations like Iran, ensuring lucrative arms sales to Gulf allies and the US military. The annual $1.3 billion in US