Editorial: Trump's 'peace by force' plants seed of future evils

The Mainichi

5 hours ago

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Israel and Iran have agreed to a "complete and total" ceasefire in their ongoing conflict. To prevent an escalation and put an end to the mutual attacks, we urge both parties to steadily implement the accord. The war in the Middle East has entered a new phase. It must lead to stability in the region.
Israel launched attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities and air defense systems claiming Tehran was close to developing an atomic weapon. It killed senior officers of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard Corps and multiple scientists involved in its nuclear development program.
Iran countered with ballistic missiles and drones, leading to a large-scale exchange of fire.
Then in a sudden turn of events, the United States unleashed strikes against Iran, bombing three Iranian nuclear facilities in the name of collective self-defense.
Israel's heavy responsibility
The Iranian leadership's promises of retaliation against the U.S. prompted concerns that tensions in the Middle East would escalate further. The Iranian parliament voted to close the Strait of Hormuz, a major artery for crude oil shipments, raising fears for the global economy.
But Iran's retaliation was subdued. While Tehran fired missiles at a U.S. military base on the outskirts of Doha, Qatar, prior to the ceasefire agreement, no damage was reported. Iran had warned Washington and Qatar before the attack.
What is concerning is that the U.S. air attacks could allow the strategy of "peace by force" to go unchallenged. Washington, while hinting at its readiness to pursue negotiations, resorted to military action to force Iran into submission. This approach is unacceptable.
Israel has justified its strikes as acts of self-defense. However, negotiations between Tehran and Washington over Iran's nuclear program were ongoing at the time, and it is inconceivable that there was imminent threat. Israel's actions run counter to international law and the United Nations Charter, both of which constrain the use of force.
Regarding its bombing of Iran, Washington also claimed that it had exercised its right to collective self-defense to rid the world of a source of anxiety and defend its ally, Israel. This, however, is nothing but a gross overextension of the interpretation of collective defense.
Furthermore, it cannot be overlooked that Israel and Washington targeted Iran's nuclear facilities in their attacks.
International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi has sounded the alarm, stating, "I have repeatedly stated that nuclear facilities must never be attacked," and, "the IAEA has consistently underlined that 'armed attacks on nuclear facilities could result in radioactive releases with grave consequences within and beyond the boundaries of the State which has been attacked.'"
In Ukraine, Russia attacked the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station in the south, sparking a blame game between Kyiv and Moscow.
International rules are being neglected through "the logic of the strong." Meanwhile, the U.N. Security Council has been dysfunctional when it ought to be responsible for global peace and stability.
Russia, a permanent member of the Security Council, invaded its neighbor, while the U.S., fellow permanent member, had a part in Israel's attacks on Iran.
The rules of law must be restored
What was recently brought into sharp relief was the double standard of the international community, primarily the U.S. and Europe. Nations strongly condemned Russia over its invasion of Ukraine and imposed severe sanctions against Moscow, while remaining silent about Washington's behavior.
The leaders of Britain, France and Germany have stressed that it remains their goal to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, while avoiding direct evaluation on the U.S. strikes.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also told a press conference, "My biggest fear would be for Iran to own and be able to use and deploy a nuclear weapon," and, "I would not agree that this is against international law -- what the U.S. did."
Regarding the U.S. strikes, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said they were "a show of Washington's resolve to thwart Iran's acquisition of nuclear arms."
However, the rubber-stamp stance of Japan and Europe on Washington's self-righteous behavior will only result in them losing the confidence of the emerging and developing countries of the Global South.
What was destroyed in the latest strikes was not just Iran's nuclear facilities. These events have taken a heavy toll on the post-World War II international order, established by humanity in search of a world without wars, borne of their remorse over the two global conflagrations of the 20th century.
The roles to be played by middle powers like countries in Europe and Japan are to commit themselves to rebuilding international norms. It is essential to restore the rule of law, tarnished by the high-handed behavior of superpowers, and put the brakes on the descent into turmoil.