The world is on the brink of a devastating economic crisis, and it's all because of the potential fallout from the recent strikes on Iran. A global economic meltdown is a very real possibility if Iran decides to fight back.
Western nations, including Australia and New Zealand, have aligned themselves with the US and Israel in their aggressive actions against the Islamic Republic of Iran. But this decision could lead to catastrophic consequences, not just for the region but for the entire world.
These Western powers, along with their Gulf Arab allies, might soon realize the severity of their actions. If Iran manages to withstand the intense military assault, it has promised to retaliate in ways that could bring the global economy to its knees.
Two early indicators of Iran's capabilities are the closure of civilian airports in the Gulf region and the effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. These actions have immediate and far-reaching implications. The airport closures halt the daily movement of hundreds of thousands of international passengers, while the Strait of Hormuz blockade cuts off the shipment of millions of barrels of oil and gas, accounting for a significant portion of the world's daily energy needs. The long-term effects of a prolonged war are unimaginable, but one thing is certain: the shockwaves will reverberate through our economies.
Countries like Australia and New Zealand could find themselves in a bidding war for essential resources like oil, LNG, and agricultural petrochemicals if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. Iran possesses a formidable arsenal of short-range missiles and countless mines along its coastline, making it nearly impossible to suppress their retaliatory capabilities.
For now, the assassination of the Supreme Leader might be celebrated in Western capitals, but the potential consequences are dire. A furious or desperate Iran could strike back with devastating force, targeting US aircraft carriers with hypersonic missiles or disrupting the liquefaction processes in Qatar that are crucial for many economies' LNG supplies. And let's not forget the non-trivial risk of nuclear weapons being used by the US and Israel if the situation escalates further.
The US President's gloating about the death of Ayatollah Khamenei, a man who issued a fatwa against Iran acquiring nuclear weapons, is a stark reminder of the hypocrisy and incoherence of Western powers. Khamenei, along with President Masoud Pezeshkian, was targeted in the recent barrage of missiles. It's a disturbing display of aggression, with one so-called 'Peace President' attempting to kill another.
This conflict is not about nuclear weapons or democracy; it's about power and control. The tragic deaths of Iranian schoolgirls are a stark reminder of the true nature of this war. The criminal attack on Iran by states committing genocide in Palestine will only serve to hinder the progress of women's rights and political pluralism movements in Iran.
Arab leaders seem to be having second thoughts about the wisdom of destroying Iran. They expressed outrage at the US Ambassador to Israel's comments about Israel's biblical promise to take all the land from the Nile to the Euphrates, a land grab that would encompass multiple countries. The US administration's silence on this matter is deafening.
We should all fear the victory of the US and Israel in this conflict. Their violent, tyrannical, and expansionist nature will only lead to more atrocities if they prevail. We are living in a world where might makes right, and the weak suffer the consequences. Unilateral violence must not be allowed to supersede international law.
Spain's Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, has spoken out against the US and Israeli strikes, condemning the unilateral military action and its contribution to an increasingly uncertain and hostile international order. Cuba, under its own brutal blockade, has also voiced its opposition, with President Miguel Díaz-Canel calling the attacks a violation of international law and the UN Charter.
Even the New York Times expressed surprise at the belligerent stance taken by Australia's Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, who openly supported the US and Israel's actions to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and threatening international peace. New Zealand's Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, also seemed to disregard the UN Charter in his statements.
The West's actions are those of tyrants, and we must stand up against this rampage. The potential economic fallout from this conflict is a stark reminder of the importance of international law and diplomacy. We cannot allow the strong to dictate the fate of the world without consequence.
