Resisting Iran's Resilience: The Global Economy's Price
The recent US-Israeli strikes on Iran have sparked a heated debate, with Western governments, including Australia and New Zealand, lending their support. However, this decision carries significant risks, threatening the global economy, regional stability, and the very fabric of international law.
The Islamic Republic of Iran, a formidable adversary, has vowed retaliation if its state endures the devastating onslaught. The closure of Gulf civilian airports and the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway, are early indicators of Iran's potential to disrupt global trade. These actions could halt the daily travel of 500,000 passengers and cut off a substantial portion of the world's oil and gas supply, impacting economies worldwide.
The consequences of a prolonged conflict are far-reaching. Australia and New Zealand, in particular, may face a challenging situation as they bid for essential resources like oil, LNG, and agricultural petrochemicals, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining closed. Iran's extensive short-range missile arsenal and coastal mines pose significant challenges to any potential suppression efforts.
The assassination of the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, might bring temporary relief in Western capitals, but it could also trigger a desperate and furious Iran. The use of hypersonic missiles to sink US aircraft carriers or disrupt Qatar's liquefaction trains is a real concern. Additionally, the risk of nuclear weapons being employed by the US and Israel looms large, as some may argue that Khamenei, a vocal opponent of nuclear proliferation, was a key obstacle to Iran's nuclear ambitions.
The Western empire's inconsistent stance on Iran's nuclear program is troubling. While Trump boasts about the destruction of Iran's nuclear capabilities, his negotiator, Steve Witkoff, contradicts him, stating Iran is 'one week from the bomb.' This inconsistency raises questions about the true intentions behind the strikes.
The women's rights and political pluralism movements in Iran are at stake. The attack, orchestrated by states committing genocide in Palestine, will hinder progress rather than advance it. The destruction of Iran could create a power vacuum, allowing supremacist Israel and the USA to exert further control in the region.
Arab leaders, once supportive of the strikes, are now expressing concerns. The US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, sparked outrage with his statement about fulfilling biblical promises of land expansion, which includes modern-day Palestine, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and parts of Iraq and Saudi Arabia. This revelation highlights the potential for further conflict and the erosion of international law.
The Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, vehemently opposed the US and Israeli strikes, emphasizing the need to respect international law and sovereignty. Cuba, under a brutal blockade, joined the chorus of condemnation, calling the attacks a violation of international law and the UN Charter. The New York Times expressed surprise at Australia's lack of restraint, questioning the country's commitment to international peace and security.
As the world grapples with the consequences of these actions, it is crucial to recognize the potential for escalation and the impact on global stability. The global economy, already facing challenges, may bear the brunt of Iran's resistance, leaving us all to pay the price.
