Iran: The spectre of another catastrophic Middle East war looms

» Declan Kearney

"There is no alternative to political dialogue, and commitment to peaceful coexistence"

The decision by the United States, alongside Israel, to launch unprovoked military operations against Iran, is a flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter and International Law.

Yet again, the actions of these governments have fundamentally damaged the multilateral system. This is the second time in nine months that the United States has begun a war in the midst of live political negotiations. The expansionist objectives of the US and its Zionist ally, is once again pushing the Middle East towards an abyss.

This war is illegal. It is not a legitimate response to the human rights violations, lack of democracy, and breaches of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Iran. Already it is spiralling out of control with indiscriminate mass killings and destruction; such as at the elementary school in Minab.

The British Government’s decision to join the US/Israel war is an equally reckless decision. It’s obvious from the contradictory messaging within the US administration that the Americans have started a war, with no sense of how it will finish. The spectre of the catastrophic wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya once again loom large.

Alongside the ongoing carpet bombing of Iran’s of cities and civilian infrastructure, Israel has also begun an air and ground invasion against Lebanon.

Iran has mounted missile attacks into, and violated the national sovereignty of, UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Qatar. Hundreds of civilians across the region are being killed. Over 1,300 are dead in Iran, at least 11 citizens have been killed in Israel; many thousands have been injured across the region; and tens of thousands have been displaced from their homes, particularly in Iran and Lebanon. This war holds the potential to ignite a broader regional conflict.

Huge numbers of Irish and British citizens work, live and holiday in Gulf states, such as UAE and Qatar.

Earlier this week the DUP tried to manufacture a cynical political controversy by attacking First Minister Michelle O’Neill’s decision not to attend the British Government’s ‘confidential security’ briefings.

Michelle O’Neill made the correct decision. The focus of our power sharing Executive should be on humanitarian priorities, and securing the safety of Irish and British citizens.

The DUP has engaged in despicable war mongering. Once again political unionism is an outlier in relation to human rights, diplomacy and global relations.

Uachtáran Shinn Féin, Mary Lou McDonald rightly called out an Taoiseach for his equivocation regarding this war.

During Leaders’ Questions this week, Mary Lou McDonald reminded Micheál Martin that Irish “neutrality matters precisely at moments like this … we do not align ourselves with aggression … we defend international law consistently”. This followed Martin’s alarming comments that the Irish Government should be able to “stand militarily” with states engaged in conflict.

Meanwhile the attacks by all sides have disrupted liquified gas production and global oil and energy supplies. Already petrol, diesel and oil heating costs have dramatically increased. That will lead to increased prices in the shops for local consumers. Cost of living pressures for workers and families are becoming more extreme, while big businesses continue to make profits. Capitalism will always prosper in times of war.

Ordinary Iranian families and other citizens across the region did not choose this war. But they will now pay a human cost with fear, destruction and the humanitarian crisis which will follow. In Ireland workers and families will suffer a huge financial cost as they struggle to pay higher energy and food bills.

Israel is already engaged in a genocide in Gaza and an illegal occupation of the West Bank. The current expansion of its military aggression beyond Palestine will further destabilise the Middle East. That is intentional.

The United States has a long and destructive record of military interference in the Middle East. Decades of invasions, occupations and bombardment have resulted in immense loss of life and longterm regional de-stabilisation. This latest action risks repeating that tragic history.

There must is be an immediate de-escalation, and an end to hostilities by all sides. There is no alternative to political dialogue, and commitment to peaceful coexistence.

The Irish Government should be speaking out strongly against unprovoked military aggression and this latest disastrous war in the region.

For our part, Sinn Féin will not be complicit in any way with Britain’s latest Middle East war, alongside the US and Israelis.

We in Ireland must be a voice for peace, diplomacy, adherence to the principal of self-determination, and the primacy of international law.

• Declan Kearney MLA is Sinn Féin National Chairperson