OPINION:
Iran, the nation that former President Barack Obama told us to trust, has been busily broadcasting its trademark “Death to America” chant as payback for President Donald Trump’s designation of the Revolutionary Guard as a foreign terrorist organization.
And now the Obama copycats are nibbling nervously at their nails — as if Iran had truly been America’s friend or something.
As if Iran had truly put aside its nuclear designs during the Obama administration and only resumed its anti-America rhetoric under Trump.
As if Iran had stopped being one of the world’s leading sponsors of terror, until just recently — until, say, late 2016, early 2017, post-Obama, present Trump.
Anyhow, Trump’s designation is historic, yes. And naysayers are saying that now those Americans who work with allies who have ties to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC, are going to have a tougher time of forging diplomatic relations.
But they said the same thing when Trump declared Jerusalem the capital of Israel.
They said the same thing when Trump moved the U.S. Embassy to Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
And really, what’s happened from those two historic acts of leadership, is this: The same haters who always hate went on epic hating rants. But the region did not explode; World War III did not begin. Rather, America’s relationship with Israel grew even stronger.
That’s why the naysayers now are so upset.
Ali Larijani, the speaker of Iran’s parliament, called the labeling of the IRGC the “climax of stupidity and ignorance,” Fox News reported. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council designated the U.S. Central Command, or CENTCOM, as a “supporter of terrorism,” and all its participating forces as terrorists. Iranian newspapers blasted out their disgruntlements with this White House, vowing that any attacks on the bases occupied by Revolutionary Guard members would be regarded as invitations to respond in kind.
Oh, and oh yes, Iran’s lawmakers, dressed as members of the Guard, took to the parliament floor to chant “Death to America.”
But that’s to be expected.
Because Iran is not our friend.
And America’s foreign policies should recognize that, always.
• Cheryl Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com or on Twitter, @ckchumley.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.