On Saturday 28th February, the US abandoned diplomatic negotiations with Iran towards a new nuclear deal, and launched an unprovoked military assault which has so far killed 555 people. The attacks have led to hospital evacuations after nearby explosions and targeting of civilian infrastructure – with one strike on an elementary girls’ school in southern Iran claiming 180 lives.
We must see this war for what it really is: an imperialist war of aggression in an attempt to consolidate power by the hegemonic US–Israeli alliance in the region.
Medact stands in solidarity with people in Iran, Lebanon, and across the region being subject to egregious acts of violence from the most technologically-advanced and well-funded military alliance in the world.
The flagrant violence – in breach of international humanitarian law, and thinly veiled as an attempt to ‘liberate’ the Iranian people and prevent nuclear weapons proliferation – lays bare the callousness and hypocrisy of the aggressors.
These attacks significantly heighten the risk of nuclear weapons use, from which there is no return or recovery. In the face of this existential risk, we echo International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), of which Medact has long been the UK affiliate: “there is no military solution to the problem of nuclear weapons proliferation anywhere in the world.”
In the past, “pre-emptive war” and “regime change” have consistently preceded acts of western imperialist violence in West Asia and North Africa. In Iran specifically, we have seen historic military interventions by the British empire and the US serve to overthrow governments, further western control, and exploit resources. And yesterday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed UK involvement, stating that the US will be allowed to use RAF bases for “defensive” missile strikes.
We call on the health community to take action, speak loudly against actions of the US and Israel, and call on the UK government to act to end the perpetration of this violence. This Saturday 7th March, CND and Stop the War have called a national demonstration in central London: Hands off Iran: Stop Trump’s Wars. We encourage you to join if you’re able to, or attend local demonstrations in your area.
As a movement committed to health justice, and achieving health through peace, we must do all we can to stop our government enabling yet more terror and violence – demanding political action towards military de-escalation, diplomatic negotiation, and resolutions towards peace.
