Et tu, Khameini?

In the early dawn of Saturday morning, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were arrested by highly trained American forces of the CIA. He is now being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, being indicted for charges on drug trafficking and the possession of illegal weapons.

This stunning turn of events marks a significant escalation in U.S.–Venezuelan relations, sending shockwaves throughout the international community. Observers are already speculating about the potential political and diplomatic repercussions, both within Venezuela and across Latin America.

US prosecutors allege that President Nicolas Maduro has brought thousands of tons of cocaine into the US, benefiting himself, his wife, and top officials.

Meanwhile, inside Venezuela, its Supreme Court has given the mandate to Vice President Delcy Rodriguez to assume the role of President. President Trump has said that the United States will “run the country” until a “judicious transition” will occur. He also stated the the US will take control of Venezuela’s massive oil reserves.

Of course, for some inane reason in the minds of many Venezuelans, “the Zionists” orchestrated this entire operation. The current acting president, Delcy Rodriguez described the entire operation as having “a Zionist tint.”

That is precisely why Israel, a tiny state surrounded by  several enemies, should be very judicious about what is happening in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

This perception has only fueled heightened tensions and widespread suspicion among the population, complicating efforts to restore stability. International actors are closely monitoring the situation, wary of possible spillover effects into neighboring countries.

There are thousands of people out on the streets throughout every city and province of Iran. Through Shiraz, Tehran, Ishfahan, Kermanshah, Jafarabad, Mashad, Hamedan, and Varamin we are seeing images of courageous young people taking to the streets shouting, “Shame on you. Shame on you”; “Death, death to the dictator;” and “This is the year of sacrifice. The oppressors will be overthrown.”

President Trump has warned that if the Iranian regime “violently kills peaceful protesters”, the United States “will come to their rescue.” Continuing with “We are locked and loaded and ready to go.”

Ten protesters have already been murdered on the streets, as far as we know.

Like the 1979 uprising that replaced the Shah with the Islamic Republic, this started in the marketplace. Iran’s currency, the rial is in freefall. One Iranian rial is worth 0.000024 of a United States Dollar. Savings that Iranians have accumulated over years are being wiped out. Simply buying ordinary purchases, such as food or fuel can eliminate a person’s income. For example, one liter of whole milk costs 574,458 liras today.

The people are brimming with frustration. What began in the marketplace has extended to most of the population. They are crying out now for basic freedoms. There have not been demonstrations like this since the death of Jina Mahsa Amini in 2022.

And the Islamic Republic must listen to the cries in the streets and step aside. By now, they want a complete revolution.

Yet, Israel should remain cautious. As in Caracas, the suspicion of “Zionist conspiracies” is unfortunately, a great part of the culture of Iran. Prime Minister Netanyahu was correct to say that Israel should be cautious. Iranian officials have arrested hundreds of citizens, and many Jews, in trumped up charges of being Mossad agents.

On December 30^th, in a meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu, President Trump stated, “Now I hear that Iran is trying to build up again. And if they are, we are going to knock them down. We’ll knock them down. We’ll knock the hell out of them. But hopefully it’s not happening.”

However, according to the International Atomic Energy Association, they have been unable to have access to the nuclear weapons facilities to inspect ever since the 12 day war in June.

Last Tuesday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared that “Answer of the Islamic Republic of Iran to any cruel aggression will be harsh and discouraging.”

Through the action in Caracas, the Islamic Republic has seen that President Trump is serious. He means what he says, he says what he means. “Et tu, Ali Khameini?”

Sarah N. Stern is founder and president of EMET, a Middle Eastern think tank and policy institute based in Washington, DC.