Extreme fundamentalists already possess the most dangerous weapons — but they’re not in Iran
Iran has been attacked — by two nuclear powers. Iran did not attack America, but America attacked Iran early this morning, a week after it had already attacked Iran using Israel — or perhaps now Israel is using America. That’s open to interpretation, but the aggression is not. At the same time, Iran is not only the target of military aggression, but also of a double standard. UK Prime Minister Starmer praises the American strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, claiming they “mitigate the threat” Iran supposedly poses. German Chancellor Merz openly praises Israeli aggression from day one, stating that Israel is “doing the dirty work for us.” Is the message that we should be grateful Israel is attacking Iran so we don’t have to?
At the time of writing, Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi is holding a press conference in Istanbul, responding to journalists’ questions. He emphasizes — listing them — the various norms and UN resolutions the US has violated with this attack. Of course, these norms are, in practical terms, all but obsolete. International law has been trampled and shattered repeatedly, and this aggression is just the latest confirmation.
Consistency has finally been completely eliminated. It’s been disintegrating since the early 2000s, starting with America’s major aggressions in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today, it’s so absent that it’s not even mentioned in passing. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine may have its justifications or rationalizations, but across the entire spectrum — from critics to supporters — it is still recognized as aggression, as invasion. Russia attacked Ukraine, not the other way around. Those who embrace extreme interpretations might fully endorse the attack, but most who understand the NATO encirclement around Russia, even those who felt Russia had to “do something,” didn’t react with war cries or hatred. Look at the official reactions — from officials and state media — in countries that are neutral or lean toward Russia: you’ll struggle to find glorification of Russia’s aggression in Venezuela, Cuba, Brazil, China, or even Iran. Even North Korea, known for its fiery rhetoric, speaks more generally of resisting “imperialist tendencies.”
Meanwhile, this morning, as smoke likely still rises from Iranian nuclear sites, we witness the glorification of Trump’s aggression, especially the fetishization of his 13-ton bombs dropped one after another on the buried Fordow complex (with Tomahawk missiles allegedly used elsewhere).
There’s not even a trace of compassion, let alone solidarity, for Iran as the victim of aggression. Unsurprising, really — you can’t expect compassion from those who silently witness the most horrific massacre of civilians in our time, in Gaza, without so much as blinking. They clearly lack both capacity and intent.
America is once again going to war over phantom “weapons of mass destruction,” twenty years after Iraq was destroyed on the back of that monumental lie.
There is no legal basis to deny Iran access to nuclear energy. As for the fear that such a program could lead to a bomb, Iran allowed itself to become the most heavily monitored country in the world. IAEA inspectors had more access than anywhere else. Moreover, in 2015, Iran agreed to a nuclear deal that significantly rolled back its program (keeping it far from bomb-making capabilities) in exchange for sanction relief.
Just as he launched today’s unprovoked attack on Iran, Trump unilaterally tore up that agreement in 2018 during his first term. He had no real argument other than Israel’s strong objection to the prospect of warmer relations between Iran and the US — something that seemed possible under Obama in Washington and Rouhani in Tehran. That was when it became clear how weak Trump was in the face of Israeli influence. True, every US president in recent decades has followed Israeli demands, but most had a limit. Israel tried to drag all of them into war with Iran — including Obama and Biden (especially Obama) — but couldn’t break through the last barrier of American self-interest. With Trump, however, this time around, it was far too easy.
Before this morning’s attack, Trump said diplomacy would have another two weeks. Then suddenly, he launched the strike. Some now claim he cleverly caught Iran off guard — but that’s likely not the case. One only needs to look at the furious Israeli media backlash after Trump merely suggested giving diplomacy one more chance. Literally the next day, B-2 bombers were launched.
This shows how helpless Trump is under Israeli pressure — he couldn’t even ensure a brief pause. It’s not surprising why Israel has such a strong grip on him compared to previous US presidents — they simply didn’t have to submit so completely to Israel’s nationalist and militarist lobby to attain power.
We know where Trump ultimately drew massive support — from the fundamentalist Christian-Zionist base, including extremists like Ted Cruz. In a recent interview with Tucker Carlson, Cruz openly stated that his main goal — as a US lawmaker — is to support Israel because that’s what (his twisted interpretation of) the Bible demands!
Some argue that Iran should never be allowed nuclear weapons because its government is a theocracy. But what about the US? Is it truly secular, when altered Bibles are passed through the halls of power, with God himself supposedly commanding total obedience to a neo-colonial Western geopolitical project born in 1948? The bitter truth is that the most dangerous weapons are already in the hands of extreme fundamentalists.
Israel’s far-right government, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, has finally achieved what it’s been seeking for years. As of this morning, the US is at war with Iran. Now they just need to ensure that this doesn’t stop at bunker bombs — but goes as far as possible. A full-scale amphibious landing of US troops on Iranian shores would be the next peak of euphoria.
And once again, Netanyahu saves his political skin in the process. Barely noticed was the news that the Israeli parliament was scheduled to vote on a motion of no confidence in his government earlier this week. Polls suggested not only would the government fall, but Netanyahu was almost certain to lose the next election, which would have to be held early. Burdened with numerous corruption scandals awaiting him the moment he loses prime ministerial immunity, Netanyahu seems to have decided that an endless state of emergency must become permanent.
Now he’s collecting political points thrown around in the chaos of this shock. Israeli society isn’t used to its cities looking like Gaza or southern Lebanon. And although that’s precisely what their leader has ensured, human nature once again proves the weakest link — many are now rallying behind their “leader,” even the opposition that just days ago was trying every way possible to bring him down. Again, not surprising — at least in politics — because the truth is, Israel has no real opposition on key issues. When it comes to the destruction of Gaza or the view that Iran is the greatest threat (that must be eliminated), there’s rigid unanimity.
Trump also stands to gain. His base is mostly in shock, but the media-political mainstream will now eagerly open its arms to him. They’ve always loved a president who wages war. Sure, Democrats will complain a bit, noting he attacked Iran without congressional approval (which they probably would have given him anyway, considering their thunderous applause every time Netanyahu gave a propaganda speech in Congress). But that’s fake opposition — just a tactic to scoop up votes for the upcoming 2026 Congressional elections and the 2028 presidential election.
What can Iran do? Very little. If they attack American bases — as they’ve said they might — they’ll just give the aggressor justification for greater destruction. Capitulating is unlikely, so their retaliation may be focused, as it already appears to be, on Israel.
As for Iran’s nuclear program — this aggression changes everything. Iran extended a hand in diplomacy, only to be slapped. Iran has been deceived. Israel attacked Iran on June 13, precisely during intense US-Iran negotiations on renewing the nuclear deal. Now we know those negotiations were likely a farce all along. Some might say Israel attacked to sabotage talks, but there’s nothing to sabotage if the talks themselves were part of the broader sabotage. The fact that Trump boasted last night about working hand-in-hand with Netanyahu “as a team,” in close coordination, confirms this operation had been long in the making.
If Persian wisdom is not a myth, Iran will never return to the negotiating table — because that would only be another variation of betrayal. Once the Israeli-American pact realizes that, their only option left will be the destruction of Iran’s current system and the installation of remnants from the Pahlavi dynasty. That is something they’ve shown no ability to accomplish — which means we are now facing a potentially catastrophic war that could escalate beyond anything we can currently imagine.
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