Unending war

WITH the world’s focus regarding the US-Iran war largely on the conflict’s geopolitical dimensions and its impact on the global economy, the human toll is often overlooked. On Sept 1, as hostilities once again flared between Washington and Tehran, a wedding party in the Iranian town of Kuhestak, Hormozgan, was struck by a projectile. A night of joy turned into one of terror and tragedy as at least five people, including children, were killed. Several were injured. It is widely believed the US is responsible for this abominable attack; the American vice-president says his country is investigating the incident. The tragedy mirrors the atrocity that occurred at the Minab school at the beginning of the conflict, in which over 150 people — mostly schoolchildren — were massacred, again in an American attack. These deplorable incidents indicate that the US has no war strategy; precious lives are being lost because a bruised superpower cannot admit that it has failed. The response from the highest office in the US is nonsensical; US President Donald Trump has proposed renaming the Strait of Hormuz the ‘Trump strait’, and has claimed that America’s weapons stock is “virtually unlimited”. The latter claim is particularly difficult to believe, as several sources have said the US is running low on munitions. Many within the US system realise that dragging the war further is useless; several top American generals have reportedly told their civilian bosses that escalation with Tehran is not advisable. There is apparently great tumult within the Pentagon over the prosecution of the Iran war. Meanwhile, the effects of the conflict are spreading, as the pro-Iran Houthis have clashed with the Yemeni government over control of the strategically important Bab al-Mandeb. A high number of fatalities have been reported in the clashes. If there are any sane voices within the White House, they must ask their boss to end the Iran war immediately. While it may be humiliating for the US to admit that it failed in bringing Iran to its knees, carrying on with this disastrous war will be an even bigger mistake. American wars against sovereign states have, over the past few decades, rarely ended the way Washington has desired; the current conflict is no exception. The Islamabad MoU, which the Iranians have expressed their confidence in, remains the best bet towards a negotiated settlement. If the US has a better plan, it is welcome to share it. But threats, bluster and further attacks will take it nowhere, and will drag the region into an even bigger conflict. Mr Trump must end this war of choice immediately, and come to the table with Iran to work out a mutually acceptable long-term peace deal. Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2026

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