Iran’s Strength: Thriving in the US-Dominated Global Jungle

In a recent address at the international conference titled “International Law Under Attack: Aggression and Defense,” held by the Institute for Political and International Studies in Tehran, Iranian diplomat Abbas Araghchi highlighted significant issues regarding global military expenditures and the impact of U.S. foreign policy. His remarks shed light on the implications of a “hegemonic America” and the resulting tensions in international relations.

Araghchi criticized U.S. President Donald Trump‘s approach, which he described as operating under the guise of “peace through strength.” According to Araghchi, this doctrine has ultimately manifested as “hegemony through force.” He elaborated on how this shift has led to a disturbing trend in U.S. military policy.

• The renaming of the U.S. Secretary of Defense to the Secretary of War.
• Increased testing of nuclear weapons.
• A disregard for international laws and previous commitments made by prior administrations.

Araghchi emphasized that Trump’s actions reflect a troubling reality whereby a leader who claims to be a proponent of peace engages in arbitrary military actions without justification. He stated, “A president who styles himself as the president of peace arbitrarily attacks wherever he pleases without reason or justification, orders the evacuation of cities, demands unconditional surrender, and violates and rips all international laws.”

He further warned that the recent surge in global military budgets is likely to result in heightened conflict and instability. He noted, “The recent unprecedented increase in the world’s military budget will yield only one outcome: more widespread war, violence, and tension. And for good reason: in the jungle that the U.S. has created, there is no law, and to defend oneself, one must be strong.”

Expanding on the implications of U.S. support for Israel, Araghchi described the nation as an extension of U.S. interests in West Asia. He cautioned that Israel’s actions pose a threat to international law and peace. He stated, “This regime, relying on a blank check from Washington and some European states, and emboldened by billions of dollars in NATO and Western weapons and military equipment, has committed and continues to commit the most heinous of crimes against humanity, mass killings, murder, genocide, and ethnic cleansing.”

In his remarks, Araghchi expressed concern for the safety of nations in the West Asia region, emphasizing that no country is immune from Israel’s military ambitions. He highlighted the fact that Israel has attacked seven countries in the past two years and continues to occupy new territories beyond Palestine.

Araghchi also referenced the illegal Israeli-U.S. aggression against Iran that occurred in June, stating that the attack coincided with the sixth round of indirect nuclear negotiations between Iran and the U.S. He noted, “The truth is that when the Israeli regime attacked Iran on June 13, under the order and guidance of the President of the United States, the first bombs were fired at the negotiating table between Iran and the United States—negotiations of which five rounds had been held, with the sixth round slated for two days later.”

He stated, “Diplomacy was the first victim of the 12-day war,” emphasizing the detrimental impact of military actions on peaceful negotiations.

Moreover, Araghchi condemned the Israeli-U.S. aggression against Iran, which resulted in civilian casualties and targeted peaceful nuclear facilities. He argued that these actions not only breached international law and the UN Charter but also represented a comprehensive assault on the safeguards and non-proliferation regime.

In summary, Abbas Araghchi’s remarks at the conference underscore the pressing issues surrounding military aggression, international law, and the geopolitical landscape in West Asia. His insights reflect the growing concern over U.S. foreign policy and its implications for global peace and security.