US President Donald Trump's latest warning about Iran poses a double threat: not only does it risk escalating tensions and undermining efforts to negotiate a peaceful resolution, but it also ignores the plight of Iranian protesters who are facing brutal repression at the hands of the regime.
The violence in Iran is shocking, with an estimated 30,000 deaths reported by medical professionals. The government has responded with a zealous crackdown on dissent, destroying evidence and silencing opposition voices. Yet, Trump's response is to threaten military intervention, which would only serve to increase bloodshed and instability.
Trump's behavior is not just callous but also reckless. His tweets about an "Armada" heading towards Iran have raised alarm among regional players, who fear the consequences of a more assertive US approach. Meanwhile, protests back home are being ignored in favor of demonizing Tehran as a threat to American interests.
The logic behind Trump's Iran policy is flawed. The regime is indeed weak and vulnerable, but military intervention would only exacerbate the crisis and potentially create new dangers. A far better option would be for Trump to re-engage with international efforts to curb nuclear proliferation, such as the JCPOA deal he so recklessly dismantled.
The EU's decision to designate the Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist entity is a minor gesture compared to the need for more concrete action. Governments should press for a moratorium on executions, support internet restoration, and fund NGOs documenting abuses. They should also provide safe passage to activists whose lives are in danger.
Ultimately, Trump's obsession with Iran is distracting from pressing issues at home, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement brutality and his own failed Greenland expedition. The US president's fixation on Tehran would be better spent on promoting peace and stability across the region, rather than fueling new conflicts that might prove disastrous for all parties involved.
The violence in Iran is shocking, with an estimated 30,000 deaths reported by medical professionals. The government has responded with a zealous crackdown on dissent, destroying evidence and silencing opposition voices. Yet, Trump's response is to threaten military intervention, which would only serve to increase bloodshed and instability.
Trump's behavior is not just callous but also reckless. His tweets about an "Armada" heading towards Iran have raised alarm among regional players, who fear the consequences of a more assertive US approach. Meanwhile, protests back home are being ignored in favor of demonizing Tehran as a threat to American interests.
The logic behind Trump's Iran policy is flawed. The regime is indeed weak and vulnerable, but military intervention would only exacerbate the crisis and potentially create new dangers. A far better option would be for Trump to re-engage with international efforts to curb nuclear proliferation, such as the JCPOA deal he so recklessly dismantled.
The EU's decision to designate the Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist entity is a minor gesture compared to the need for more concrete action. Governments should press for a moratorium on executions, support internet restoration, and fund NGOs documenting abuses. They should also provide safe passage to activists whose lives are in danger.
Ultimately, Trump's obsession with Iran is distracting from pressing issues at home, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement brutality and his own failed Greenland expedition. The US president's fixation on Tehran would be better spent on promoting peace and stability across the region, rather than fueling new conflicts that might prove disastrous for all parties involved.