IRAN VS ISRAEL: The 12 day war may not be the last
BY INUWA WAYA
The circumstances that led to the ceasefire after the 12 day war between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the State of Israel are in the public domain. Whatever distortions are coming out from the media defending from which side they belong to, the truth is that both Israel and Iran had shown signs of exhaustion. The only point requiring remark here is that Israel showed more signs of exhaustion by inviting the United States to join the war.
Had the war continued, no one would determine its outcome. After the ceasefire, each of the parties involved claimed victory. Donald Trump said that the American bombs at the three nuclear sites in Iran had obliterated the Country’s nuclear programme. According to him, it would take nearly 20 years for Iran to restart uranium enrichment. Israel also claimed victory. They believed that by eliminating top Iranian nuclear scientist and military commanders, they have dealt a fatal blow to the Islmic Republic . Iran, on the other hand, is also claimed victory. The fact that they dared Israel and caused maximum damage to buildings and military offices in the Country is a major consolation to them. Their symbolic attack against the American military base in Qatar is another reason to claim victory.
The claim of victory by each side is understandable. What is not expected and which is troubling is the war of words between the parties involved following the ceasefire agreement . In spite of claiming to obliterate the Iranian nuclear programme, President Trump said America will not hesitate to attack again if Iran restarts uranium enrichment. He also said because of the Iranian Supreme leader’s derogatory comments against him, he has decided not to lift the sanctions against Iran. Israel had re-echoed the American rhetoric.
In fact, they went further to hint at assassinating the Iranian spiritual leader Ayatollah khomeini and toppling the entire regime and causing maximum chaos in the Country. On the other hand, Iran has downplayed the significance of the American and Israeli attack on their nuclear facilities. Informed sources from Tehran said the Country is looking for a historic opportunity to permanently neutralise the Israeli threat against it. The source further claimed that Iran has in stock a new generation missiles that can penetrate the Israeli air defences.
On the issue of nuclear inspection, Iran had formally suspended any cooperation with the IAEA. According to Tehran, the impartiality of the agency is completely compromised. Calling it a tool in the hands of Israel and the US.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Chief Rafael Grossi has said that while American bunker buster bombs had caused serious damage to the Iranian nuclear facilities, the Country can within months restart uranium enrichment operations. According to the IAEA chief, the nuclear knowledge in possession of the Iranian scientist can not be disinvented. The media is not left out in this quagmire. According to Washington post, intercepted communications between senior Iranian officials suggested that the American strikes at the Iranian nuclear facilities were far less destructive than expected. Indeed several American media outlets reported a leaked classified intelligence assessments that suggests the US strikes only caused moderate damage to the Iranian nuclear facilities. All these doubts, claims and counter claims, goes to the direction of opening their own second front.
There is no doubt that the next war between Iran and Israel will be deadly, dramatic and catastrophic. Each is looking for the opportunity to annihilate the other. There would be massive loss of lives and destruction that has probably not been seen before. The entire Middle East will turn to a battle ground. If that region with a lot of oil wells, refineries and power plants is set ablaze, the World economy would definitely be affected. Closing the Strait of Hormuz which is likely as the conflict escalates, would affect the supply of 20% of the World’s crude oil supply. It is inevitable that the impact of the war would negatively affect the rest of the World.
In our view, this is the time to tame the tide. The Wold powers are in the unique position to calm frayed nerves. This is not the time of division or pursuing narrow interest. No one should take the current atmosphere as it affects Iran and Israel as parochial. The aftermath of that war if it happens, would invariably change the World as we know it today. The United Nations, especially the Security Council (UNSC) must come together to speak with one voice and save the World from the calamitous effect of any war. A stich in time saves nine. The World and its inhabitants will not be happy with shedding of crocodile tears if the war is allowed to happen. The spilling of innocent blood under whatever guise is enough. The World must be a safer and not a dangerous place. All wars must be stopped at this second. The people are tired of seeing mutilated bodies on the mother earth. The starvation of women and children must be stopped.
The scenes being aired on televisions and shown on social media are gory and appalling. All hands must be put on deck to avoid the World turning into an animal kingdom where savagery and wickedness reign supreme. Civilisation is measured by the ability of humans to avoid wanton killings and destructions of whatever is built on the surface earth.
United Nations, please save humanity
