It’s not over. After the signing of a peace plan between Iran and the United States to end the conflict in the Middle East, two months of negotiations on the details of the agreement should begin on June 19. If it addresses Iran’s commitment not to acquire nuclear weapons and the lifting of economic sanctions against it, it also establishes the ceasefire in Iran and Lebanon – which is not currently respected – and announces the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Not a word about the human rights of Iranians.
Tehran seems to be the winner, having emerged militarily and strategically strengthened from the Israeli-American offensive that began on February 28. But victory belongs to the regime alone. The Iranians are exhausted by the American bombings, disappointed in the hope of a “liberation” that they had entertained. Even proud of having finally brought down the American enemy, they are rendered bloodless by political repression and fear a new turn of the screw in the name of national security. While more than half of them live below the poverty line, they are now placing their hopes in the resumption of economic activity.
Victory or not, the price of war always falls on the population. It is invariably that of blood. The triumph which only affects the spheres of power is an illusion of glory. In this matter, there are only losers. And sacrifices.
