Stockman is silent about the denial of free speech and a judicial system that often abandons any pretense of due process. She also makes no mention of the material and ideological support Iran provides globally to radical Islamic terrorists, the aggressive promotion of Holocaust denial, and ongoing genocidal screeds regarding Israel.
Instead, she turns truth on its head, contending that sanctions are causing the stalemate in nuclear arms negotiations. In fact, those who advocate for strong sanctions hope to preempt military conflict by persuading Iran to abandon its pursuit of nuclear weaponry.
Stockman’s compassion for the Iranian people is no justification for blaming the United States for the excesses of a dangerous regime that has given every indication of its readiness to sow mayhem and undermine basic human rights in Iran and around the world.
The writer is former president of the Boston regional office of the American Jewish Committee.