Latest news with #Ayatollahs
Express Tribune
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Should Iran have the bomb?
Listen to article Ten days after the ceasefire between Iran and Israel the consensus among most observers, including the IAEA, is that Iran has saved enough fissile material and the capacity to enrich it to weapons-grade in a matter of weeks and months than years. Should it? Why would she do so? Considering that two nuclear powers collaborated to attack Iran in an unprovoked war lends itself to a widespread opinion in the global South that Iran must have all it needs to defend itself. North Korea is invoked as an example of a state largely labeled rogue, yet because of its known inventory of a dozen nuclear bombs escapes the wrath despite its pariah status. When weaponised Iran too would be able to ward off any aggression, goes the rationale. Iran, though, continues to be viewed with suspicion especially by Israel and its principal backer, the US. Iran's regime of the Ayatollahs displaced the Pahlavis, friends to the US, and in its wake earned the perpetual disdain of US. Her stance and declarations against Israel and support of those who lie in proximity in a struggle against Israel rankles and irks every living moment of the Israeli state. Traditionally, Iran has been looked at with suspicion by its littoral neighbours across the Persian Gulf — the Arab sheikhdoms. Sect-based differences are reinforced with ethnic exclusivity, as indeed does the revolutionary streak of Iran's regime. History of Iranian civilisation shadows what has only recently begun to be realised as an Arab civilisation stoking civilisational wariness. Recent strides in wealth through oil and material prosperity have enhanced Arab significance at the global level accentuated through close alignment with the West. Most Gulf sheikhdoms house US military bases perceptively oriented against any threat from Iran. Arabs and Iran therefore lie in two different camps rendering relations tenuous and speculative. Were Iran to go nuclear, Saudi Arabia is sure to follow. It is widely reported that Saudi Arabia has been in talks with the US to acquire nuclear power plants — the drive for clean energy is a perfect garb. Russia is helping Iran set up a Heavy Water Plant at Bushehr, an Iranian town in its South, which though under IAEA safeguards can be a perfect veil for collecting residual Plutonium. The UAE has four Korean nuclear reactors supplying a quarter of its energy — Qatar has already objected to the UAE nuclearising Gulf. Once in the field of enrichment and nuclear energy even if ostensibly for electrical power, a nation will inevitably chart a nuclear-weapon path over time. Iran is almost there though it needs serious consideration if it should. If Saudi Arabia follows, initially though on a declared peaceful path, there is no stopping from Gulf becoming the most rampantly nuclearised region of the world. With Pakistan and India already declared nuclear powers, all of littoral Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean Region will be the most nuclearised region with inherent flashpoints which can rapidly and uncontrollably escalate to the point of annihilation. What this region instead needs is denuclearisation. Arab-Israel dissonance needs to be repaired somehow. The US instituted the Abraham Accords to include and encourage Arab nations ready to formally accept Israel with a plan to advance the arrangement to those who remain on the fringe. Saudi Arabia has declared that she could consider the proposal only if Israel could cease its war in Gaza and accept the two-state solution where Palestinians could also have a separate homeland. Most Muslim nations will subscribe to that stand. Middle east needs a comprehensive and wholesome settlement of open issues and conflicts that invariably involve Israel. Israel-Iran enmity too has roots in the same conflict. A viable and a lasting solution can greatly appease the discomfort and unease in the middle east. If Israel is not at war with the rest of the middle east as has been the case since its inception as a separate state, should it still need nuclear weapons for its security and safety? What if both Israel and Iran together could be convinced to give up their nuclear weapons and aspirations and coexist as two responsible nations each with its own strength to contribute to the world? Brazil, Argentina, South Africa and Ukraine have all given up nuclear weapons and nuclear-weapon programmes in the past to subscribe to a denuclearised world. With conflict as rampant, profusion of nuclear weapons in and around Gulf can only advance Armageddon. Following recent conflicts which almost pushed us to the brink of a widespread, total regional war, it is only imperative that peace is cemented with palpable, substantive and abiding solutions. In another scenario imagine a link of continuum where adjoining states pursue the path to nuclear weaponisation in response to their threat assessment: Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Iran are all contiguous to one another and form what must be the chain of devastation. A nuclear war anywhere in the chain is sure to immerse adjoining states either in effect or in unison if not in extended conflagration. With Iran will follow Turkey. As will Saudi Arabia and the UAE already on the path to that horrifying ultimate inevitability. USA is a virtual and a real neighbour to this region with its most dominating nuclear arsenal. Israel of course will only add to this fire. If this is not Armageddon, what is? The entire Eurasian landmass will be obliterated under an expanding engorgement of nuclear fires and radiation. Where to, will Europe escape? Germany, which gave up nuclear power plants has already indicated going back into the fold of nuclear energy after her gas pipelines from Russia were blown away. It will do so on a gallop under any right-wing government; it barely escaped having one in the last elections. Together, such an eventuality is humanity underwriting its own annihilation. Yet humanity must benefit and not overlook what peaceful nuclear use can bring. Existing route to destruction of the climate comes from the use of fossil fuels. Humans, conscious of their misdeeds, are navigating a path to cleaner energy to save the planet. Nuclear power is an important cog in this plan. What it will need though to ensure disarmament is appeasement if not total elimination of conflict — especially where issues stand as explosive flashpoints — with resolution mechanisms that can be seen to be fair and equitable. The world must believe in the value system which is rule-based and egalitarian. Estrangement and dismissiveness to project displeasure as is the wont of most global South is injurious. Instead, as a recourse the world at large must encourage Russia, China and the US to seize the moment and underwrite what must chart the path of coexistence for humanity in the next millennia. Collectivism than unilateralism must guide our responses to what threatens humanity. To that end pervasive peace remains the first step.
New York Times
03-07-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
We Need to Finish the Job in Iran
Satisfaction and frustration most accurately capture what should be America's reaction to last month's Israeli-U.S. military strikes on Iran. Satisfaction because the raids, particularly against the nuclear-weapons program, may have achieved what decades of illusion, naïveté, misguided diplomacy and inadequate economic sanctions failed to achieve, and frustration because the strikes were terminated early and unnecessarily. It remains to be seen if Washington has learned enough of a lesson to complete the destruction of Iran's nuclear infrastructure, by military means if necessary. As on many previous occasions, Iran has announced that it will cease cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, demonstrating that there is currently no serious chance of a satisfactory diplomatic solution. The early signs are mixed and opaque. Much depends on the stability of the ayatollahs' regime and its internal divisions, and whether Iran's population will publicly express its discontent. Unfortunately, the opposition in Iran, while national in scope, is not well organized, and the regime's potential for brutal repression has been repeatedly demonstrated. Much also depends on whether America's leaders have the necessary resolve, focus and persistence — a matter in considerable doubt. The Middle East has changed significantly since Iranian proxies enacted on Oct. 7, 2023, the culmination of the Islamic republic's 'Ring of Fire' strategy — surrounding Israel with enemies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza and foreign militias in Syria. Along almost every important strategic dimension, Iran is today far weaker, and Israel (and the United States) far stronger. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Israel-Iran live updates: Trump says he is not 'talking to' Iran
President Donald Trump said early Monday he is "not offering Iran anything" despite suggesting new nuclear talks with Tehran, following a ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel agreed last week after an intense 12-day conflict. Through last week, the president and his administration continued to push back on an early intelligence report suggesting that the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities may have only set Tehran's nuclear program back by 30, 6:46 AMIranian ayatollahs issue fatwas against threats to Khamenei Two Iranian grand ayatollahs issued separate fatwas on Sunday saying that any insult, threat or aggression against the Islamic Republic's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei from "a government or individual" is an "insult and aggression to the essence of Islam" and carries the ruling of "waging war against God." The fatwas do not mention specific foreign leaders, but come after both President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the possibility of killing Khamenei during the recent 12-day conflict."Waging war against God" is one of the most severe security crimes in Iran's Islamic law and can be punishable by Ayatollah Hosein Noori Hamedani and Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi's fatwas were published widely in Iranian declarations prompted concern among human rights activists, as they added that anyone who assists any government or individual that threatens Khamenei will be considered guilty of the same crime.-ABC News' Somayeh Malekian Jun 30, 5:44 AMMacron presses Iran to greenlight nuclear inspectors French President Emmanuel Macron said in a post to X Monday that he spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to urge Tehran to "return to the negotiating table." Among the French leader's messages were for Iran to "respect for the ceasefire, to help restore peace in the region," Macron also said he urged "a return to the negotiating table to address ballistic and nuclear issues," plus for Iran to uphold its commitments under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty "and the swift resumption of the IAEA's work in Iran to ensure full transparency." Jun 30, 5:27 AMTrump says he is not 'talking to' Iran President Donald Trump on Monday pushed back on suggestions by Democratic Sen. Chris Coons that the White House is considering sanctions relief for Iran as part of renewed nuclear negotiations. "Tell phony Democrat Senator Chris Coons that I am not offering Iran ANYTHING, unlike Obama, who paid them $Billions under the stupid 'road to a Nuclear Weapon JCPOA (which would now be expired!), nor am I even talking to them since we totally OBLITERATED their Nuclear Facilities," Trump wrote on social spoke to Fox News on Sunday and referenced reports suggesting Trump "is now moving towards negotiation and offering Iran a deal that looks somewhat similar to the Iran deal that was offered by Obama. Tens of billions of dollars of incentives and reduced sanctions in exchange for abandoning their nuclear program." Jun 29, 6:32 AMTop Israeli official to travel to Washington on Monday Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer -- a top adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu -- will arrive in Washington, D.C. on Monday for talks with President Donald Trump's administration, an Israeli official told ABC visit is expected to include discussions on the war in the Gaza Strip, the recent conflict with Iran and Netanyahu's planned visit to the White House next month.-ABC News' Jordana Miller and Victoria Beaule Click here to read the rest of the blog.
National Post
27-06-2025
- Politics
- National Post
Vivian Bercovici: Iranian regime's survival now depends on milquetoast leaders
'Death to America' has been the defining chant of the Islamic Republic of Iran since 1979, when radical Shi'ite clerics overthrew the ruling Pahlavi monarchy. Article content 'Death to Israel' has always been the companion slogan. Article content For more than 50 years, the Pahlavi dynasty had ruled Iran with increasing ruthlessness. The poor, religious Iranians struggling in the teeming slums, seethed. They saw the Shah and his family as being decadent infidels defiling and degrading Iran and Islam. Article content In a recent interview, Beni Sabti, a Tehran-born expert who now resides in Israel, recalled the pro-revolutionary fervour that swept Iran in the early years of the Ayatollahs' rule. Beni was Jewish, and he and his family were constantly threatened and harassed. In 1987, when he was 15, the family escaped on a treacherous journey guided by smugglers. Article content Article content Approximately 15,000 Jews remain in Iran and reports are trickling out that some are being arrested and harassed by the military, particularly in Shiraz and Tehran. Their phones and homes are being searched for any indication of communication with people in Israel. Almost all likely have close family who escaped to Israel or elsewhere since 1979. Such contact could mean death. Article content As we are going to press, a report just came in that the regime has arrested up to 700 Jews in the country for alleged ties to Israel. Ceremonies have been organized in which Jewish leaders and others in attendance pledged allegiance and support to Iran. Article content Article content The regime has shut down internet access for approximately two weeks now, and a vicious clampdown appears to be ongoing, targeting more vulnerable minorities — like the Kurds in the north — and Jews in the cities. Everyone gets the message. Head down. Shut up. Article content Article content Today, 80 per cent or more of Iranians loathe the ruling theocracy. And whereas the opposition factions in the Iranian diaspora may have their differences, there is a broad consensus that the religious regime must be toppled. Article content The overwhelming majority of Iranians want the brutal repression to end. They want a life where they can work, achieve, think and express themselves freely, dress as they please, become citizens integrated with other nations and people without fear of extreme reprisal. But freedom, of course, is the ultimate threat to a totalitarian state. Article content Beginning on June 13, continued waves of Israeli air force attacks deep inside the country shattered the nuclear aspirations of Iran. For days, the skies of Iran were dominated by Israeli and American air forces. All Middle Eastern countries — including Syria — allowed Israeli fighter jets to access their airspace. To attack Iran. Why? Because Saudi, Bahrain, Oman, Syria, UAE — they all loathe the fanatical Iranian regime as much as does Israel.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
The 'Iran-Israel' war; Russia's intensified attacks on Ukraine: The week that was in international affairs
Welcome back to another edition of My Take 5, your roundup of top international news. It has been a week of heavy geopolitical developments centred on the 12-day Iran-Israel war. So let's get to it: Iran-Israel war: After an intense 12-day conflict between Iran and Isreal that saw the US bomb Tehran's nuclear sites, a tentative ceasefire appears to be holding. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now But the big question everyone is asking is: What was it all about? Israel claims Iran was weeks away from making a nuclear bomb. Hence it had to act quickly and destroy Iran's capabilities. Thus, it launched Operation Rising Lion by hitting Iranian military assets and nuclear sites. Note, however, that Netanyahu has been making statements about how close Iran is to a bomb for years. Nonetheless, the US joined him this time to hit Iran's nuclear programme. Now there's a big debate whether the strikes on Iranian nuclear sites actually served their purpose, especially the targeting of the facility in Fordow buried deep below a mountain. Some initial assessments say the damage was something that can be repaired by the Iranians within months. Add to this reports that Iranians may have moved critical equipment and uranium stockpiles much in advance of the strikes, and the whole 'degrading Iran's nuclear programme' narrative begins to look iffy. Plus, the Ayatollahs in Tehran are still in their place, negating any talk of regime change for the time being. So what did this short war achieve? Will Iran give up its nuclear programme? No. Will it give up its proxies in the region? No. Has Iran taken a hit? Yes, but so has Israel. Can Iran recover its nuclear project? Yes, knowledge and tech expertise can't be destroyed. Are the Ayatollahs still in charge? Yes. Will Iran continue to support the Palestinian cause? Yes. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now So, all that the war has done is given a brief preview of what a full-scale war in West Asia involving Israel, US and Iran may look like. Strategically, however, there are two points to be noted. First, in this conflict Israeli jets were able to freely fly from their home base through Syria and Iraq to Iran, establishing aerial dominance. This means that Syria allowed the Israeli flyovers and Iraq, though complained, couldn't or wouldn't stop the Israeli jets on their way to bombing Iran. This represents a fundamental strategic re-alignment in West Asia that increases Israel's military leverage. Second, it is my analysis that since the Assad regime's fall in Syria last December, US and Israel appear to be keen on strategically remaking West Asia. The objective here is to drag in Russia and China. If the latter take the bait, they will be bogged down here for years. So far they have resisted the temptation. But if there is a push for regime change in Iran via proxies or local opposition forces, Russia and China are unlikely to stay away. With the former Crown Prince of Iran Reza Pahlavi calling for Ayatollah Khamenei to step down, this story isn't over yet. But if Moscow in particular does get involved at some stage, it would mean pulling its military resources away from Ukraine and Europe. The Washington establishment then would have killed two birds with one stone. Russia intensifies attacks on Ukraine: Russia continues to intensify its attacks on Ukraine with huge numbers of drones and missiles targeting Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure. After the devastating images of the Russian attacks on Kyiv in recent days where residential buildings were targeted and turned to rubble, this week the city of Dnipro was hit, killing at least 19 and injuring more than 300. A Ukrainian passenger train travelling from Odesa to Zaporizhzhia was also struck in the Dnipro strike, but luckily there were no fatalities. Russia is no longer hiding the fact that it is targeting Ukrainian civilians. The recent intensity of its barrages shows that the aim is not only to inflict damage but also to break the spirits of the Ukrainian people. The latter, however, will not happen. Through more than three years of war, Ukrainians have proved themselves to be really resilient. And they will fight for their country and freedom every inch of the way. That said, the fight has certainly become tougher for Kyiv given that American military aid has practically stopped. There is a serious crunch of air defence ammunition. The Ukrainians will be forced to improvise – which they have anyway done throughout the course of the war – but Russian attacks will slip through the gaps in the meantime. Meanwhile, at an Economic Forum, actually said that all of Ukraine belongs to Russia. It's clear, therefore, that Moscow has no intention of ending this war on its own. It feels no pressure to negotiate. So the US strategy – as evidenced by the Nato summit this week where the summit declaration was perceived to be relatively weak on Russia – of negotiating an end to the war isn't working. Moscow is just taking Washington for a ride and making maximalist demands that can never be agreed to – it has also been suggested in recent days that Nato should withdraw from the Baltics to end the war in Ukraine. Washington would do well to see through Moscow's tactics. Baltics prepare: As a direct result of the Russian threat, construction of the Baltic Defence Line has begun in south-eastern Estonia with the digging of anti-tank ditches. This comes on top of the Baltic states, Poland and Finland already withdrawing from the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention. The Baltics are clearly cognisant of the threat posed by Russia. In fact, on a trip to Estonia last month, this writer witnessed first hand Estonia's solidarity with Ukraine, not just in words but through actions such as supply of key defence platforms, dual-use tech and training to Kyiv. Estonia is facing relentless Russian – and Chinese – cyberattacks from which it has to defence itself constantly. It is also at the receiving end of Moscow's intimidation and grey-zone tactics. Therefore, Europe as a whole should coordinate more with Eastern Europe, specifically the Baltics, to monitor the security challenges posed by Russia. Raising defence spend to 5% of GDP by 2035, as agreed to at the latest Nato summit, is no longer an academic exercise. It is an imperative for the continent to meet its 21st century defence needs. India-China border: India's defence minister called on China to permanently settle the border dispute between the two countries. This is significant because it shows intent on New Delhi's part to bury this long-pending thorn in India-China ties. After the 2020 Galwan clashes between the two militaries, India has been clear that it cannot be business as usual in bilateral ties unless the border issue is addressed. While some progress has been made on disengagement and patrolling at the contested sites in eastern Ladakh that had become flashpoints in 2020, the Indian military is not lowering its guard. The truth is China doesn't want to resolve the border issue. Politically, this helps the Chinese Communist Party because it can use the border issue to put pressure on India whenever it wants. This is Beijing's way of keeping a check on New Delhi and making sure it doesn't get too far ahead in South Asia. There is no reason why India should play along here. We need to call out Beijing's strategy and force it to clear its intentions. If It is not interested in solving the border issue, then it's a clear sign that China will never accept India as an equal partner. China can't have its cake and eat it too. It must choose between positive ties with India after a border settlement, or no meaningful business with New Delhi. Full bilateral ties can't be realised without settling the border question. Myanmar elections: Myanmar's junta administration has hinted at elections in December this year and January next year. This is an extraordinary proposition. The junta has locked up and executed a huge number of people associated with the previous civilian administration, it has lost vast tracts of territory to armed rebel groups, and most democratic opposition groups will boycott the polls under these circumstances anyway. Therefore, even if the polls go ahead, it is difficult to see how they will be free and fair, or truly representative of the will of the people of the country. The junta is simply trying to attain some legitimacy for itself through these polls. It won't work.
