In the wake of the "revolutions" in the Middle East and "revival" of protests by the Green forces, some American "experts" of Iran are calling for regime change. While the Obama Administration does not endorse this misguided view, it could be persuaded to embrace it if the situation in Iran is not better understood and leaders in Tehran fail to unite the country. This article offers a more realistic assessment of the Iranian situation and a path toward national reconciliation and democratic change in Iran as well as a more productive US policy in this time of crises. On February 14, 2011, after a long "calm," streets of Iran became scenes of new "illegal" demonstrations called by the leaders of the Green Movement, Mir Hossein Mousavi and Sheikh Mehdi Karubi, in support of the "revolutions" in Egypt, Tunisia and other Arab states. February 14 is three days after the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in Iran. This act was indeed a slap on the face of the Islamic regime: the opposition leaders, a former prime minister and a former speaker of the parliament, did not want to legitimize the anniversary any longer. Instead, they wished to use the opportunity to show that, contrary to general perceptions, their movement was still alive.
