By Dr Arun Mitra
The escalating conflict in West Asia has raised serious concerns about the possibility of a wider war. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly issued threats against Iran, at times invoking its annihilation. Whether these statements are coercive rhetoric or a prelude to further military action remains to be seen. Marco Rubio’s statement in a press conference recently where he has out rightly threatened Iran reflects arrogance of the US administration. The world cannot afford to remain complacent in such situation.
As per the information coming from different sources Iran is contemplating a renewed attack from US and Israel combine. They have warned that in case Israel uses nuclear weapons then Iran would completely destroy the Israeli nuclear installation in the Negev Desert, southeast of the city of Dimona. Iran has already marked nearly 400 targets including the US bases in the gulf to as far as Indian Ocean according to Emilio “Pepe” Escobar a Brazilian journalist in an interview with Zulfikar Ali on the digital broadcast channel Transition Protocol. Meanwhile, Israel’s reported lockdown of the occupied West Bank following a shooting incident near Hebron and the recent visit of US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to Israel also warrants scrutiny.
Iran’s resistance has exposed the limitations of American military power. The disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has seriously affected global energy supplies and increased economic pressure. The reported difficulties surrounding fuel supplies, including diesel, raise questions about the economic consequences of Washington’s policies.
It is said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu persuaded Washington that Iran would surrender within days. This made the US to join Israel in aggression over Iran. The conflict got intensified. Despite its military superiority, the United States has not achieved the decisive outcome that it and Israel apparently anticipated.
ranian attacks on US military installations in Gulf countries caused serious damage. Trump’s abandonment of diplomatic understanding with Iran further weakened prospects for peace. The attacks on Saudi Arabia by the Houthis disrupting shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea have inflicted serious impact on Saudi.
There are ample signs about the changing world order with emergence of BRICS and China’s Belt and Road initiative which includes about 150 active members countries across different continents. The US and the erstwhile colonial powers are unable to reconcile to this. The US is trying to dictate its terms to the world by virtually breaking the WTO protocol and imposing sanctions and tariffs at will on different countries.
The present Indian government aspires to be hand in glove with the US despite the fact that the US dictates its terms. Donald trump has time and again humiliated India by saying that India and Pakistan war stopped after the US intervention. He gives a damn to the special relation of friendship which Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi repeatedly boasts of.
It is in this wider geopolitical context that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to India becomes significant. His itinerary included Mumbai and Jamnagar rather than beginning with formal consultations in New Delhi. This has raised questions about the purpose and conduct of the visit.
According to reports, Rubio was hosted by corporate Mukesh Ambani, while information about the visit emerged from the American side rather than through a prior public announcement by the Indian government. Why was a visit by such a senior American official apparently organised around engagements outside the national capital? Were the Indian government’s priorities and diplomatic protocols adequately respected?
Reports of discussions concerning investment in petroleum refining and a possible plant in Texas at a time when India needs large foreign investment, have added to the speculation. Claims that Ambani may invest $300 billion in Texas and also in Venezuela require independent verification and clarification. Equally concerning are reports that US Ambassador Sergio Gor asked External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar to travel to Mumbai to meet Rubio. If accurate, the circumstances raise legitimate questions about diplomatic protocol and mutual respect.
Despite President Trump’s public assertions concerning the India-Pakistan conflict, trade tariffs, and India’s purchases of Russian oil, the Modi government continues to maintain close ties with Washington. Why should India accommodate American strategic priorities when the United States consistently places its own interests first?
Such hegemonic attitude of the US has brought the whole world to instability and added to military tensions all around. The threat of nuclear escalation makes the present situation particularly alarming. Iran has repeatedly denied seeking nuclear weapons, while the United States and Israel continue to portray its nuclear programme as a major security threat. Such claims must be assessed through credible international verification and established international law and not used as a pretext for unilateral military action.
The war on Iraq offers a sobering lesson. Allegations concerning weapons of mass destruction were used to justify the US-led invasion in 2003, yet the stockpiles cited as a central justification were not found. The devastating consequences for Iraq and the wider region demonstrate the dangers of war based on disputed claims.
The United Nations must urgently intensify diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation and secure compliance within international law. It should press all nuclear-armed states to undertake a binding commitment not to use nuclear weapons in the on-going conflicts.
Even a limited nuclear exchange could cause mass casualties, environmental destruction, food insecurity, and long-term health consequences extending far beyond the countries involved. A large-scale nuclear war could threaten human civilisation itself.
The real test of leadership is not the ability to intimidate another country, but the determination to prevent war and protect humanity. India must decide whether it will help shape the emerging world order independently or allow its foreign policy to be increasingly dictated by the calculations of a hegemonic power. (IPA Service)
