Former Prisoner Reflects on U.S. Influence and Iran’s Turmoil

In June 2025, former Iranian prisoner and scholar Behrooz Gamari witnessed a bombing of Evin Prison by Israeli forces, reminiscent of his own harrowing experiences as a death row inmate during the Iran-Iraq War. He recalls the chilling atmosphere of fear and uncertainty as missiles rained down on Tehran in February 1984, a time when he was battling advanced lymphoma while awaiting execution. Gamari’s reflections highlight the long history of U.S. involvement in the region, shaping events that have led to ongoing conflict and suffering.

Gamari was imprisoned three years earlier for his association with a radical Marxist organization aiming to overthrow the Islamic Republic. He faced a death sentence shortly after his arrest, and after a year on death row, his untreated cancer progressed to a critical stage. During his incarceration, the Iranian regime faced external pressure from Saddam Hussein’s military campaign, which sought to destabilize the country through bombings targeting civilians. In just two weeks in February 1984, over 4,700 Iranian civilians were killed, and more than 20,000 were injured as part of a broader strategy to undermine the Iranian government.

The backdrop of this conflict saw significant support for Iraq from Western nations, including the United States. During the 1980s, the Ronald Reagan administration provided economic aid and intelligence, viewing Iraq as a bulwark against the Iranian revolution. The Soviet Union supplied arms to Iraq, while U.S. allies like France and Germany contributed military technology and materials. This support facilitated a prolonged war that resulted in substantial human and economic tolls for both nations.

As Gamari reflects on the past, he notes a pattern of U.S. intervention in Iranian affairs that has persisted for decades. He highlights the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, which led to a renewed focus on Iran as a perceived threat in the region. In March 2003, just days before the invasion of Iraq, Gamari attended a policy workshop in Washington, D.C., where discussions centered on military strategies aimed at Tehran rather than efforts to prevent further conflict.

In the wake of the June 2025 bombing of Evin Prison, which resulted in the deaths of 79 individuals, including prison staff and visitors, Gamari’s reaction underscored his complex feelings about the ongoing violence. He expressed a visceral connection to Iran, where his past experiences meld with the current turmoil. Following the bombing, reports indicated that many prisoners risked their safety to assist those trapped beneath the rubble, showcasing a surprising solidarity amidst chaos.

The recent violence can be traced back to a significant escalation of hostilities between Iran and Israel. Just ten days prior to the Evin Prison attack, Israel had launched a series of airstrikes against Iranian military targets, resulting in over 1,000 casualties. The Israeli government has long claimed Iran poses an imminent nuclear threat, a narrative that has shaped its military strategies and justifications for intervention.

Gamari criticizes the simplistic portrayal of Iran’s leadership as paranoid and overly aggressive, arguing that such framing ignores the broader historical context of U.S. and Israeli actions in the region. He notes that the Iranian regime has often justified its repressive policies as necessary for national security against perceived external threats. The Islamic Republic’s regional activities, including support for groups like Hezbollah and the Syrian government, are viewed through this lens of survival rather than mere expansionism.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently called for an emergency meeting to address concerns about Iran’s nuclear program, yet Gamari points out that the report failed to present new evidence of wrongdoing, merely reiterating long-standing issues. He emphasizes that the geopolitical landscape, shaped by decades of intervention and conflict, continues to evolve, with the U.S. and its allies often prioritizing their strategic interests over genuine concern for human rights.

As Gamari contemplates the past and present of U.S.-Iran relations, he underscores the complexity of Iranian society, which resists a binary view of good versus evil. Many Iranian dissidents in exile express frustration with the regime, yet they also recognize the dangers inherent in foreign intervention. The historical narrative of U.S. involvement in Iran, beginning with the 1953 coup against Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh, has created a legacy of mistrust that shapes contemporary attitudes toward the West.

Looking back over the nearly fifty years since the 1979 revolution, Gamari reflects on the enduring struggle for Iranian sovereignty in a landscape of foreign influence and domestic repression. The persistent issues of human rights abuses and authoritarian governance within Iran contrast sharply with the geopolitical maneuvers of the U.S. and its allies, who have often overlooked similar behaviors in allied states.

As the cycle of violence continues, Gamari’s insights serve as a reminder of the human cost of political machinations and the urgent need for a nuanced understanding of the region’s complexities. The challenges faced by Iran, both from within and outside its borders, highlight the necessity for thoughtful engagement rather than aggressive intervention in the pursuit of peace and stability.