by BAYAN President Renato Reyes Jr.
The tweet from Trump came 90 minutes before his deadline. The US would be suspending attacks on Iran for two weeks, backtracking on Trump’s earlier threat to end Iranian civilization if it does not agree to a deal.
The mutual ceasefire was upon the request of mediator Pakistan. The terms of the ceasefire – the US halts attacks on Iran for two weeks, Iran would not engage in defensive strikes and would reopen the Strait of Hormuz for two weeks. During this period, negotiations will take place in Pakistan. Iran’s 10-point proposal has been received by the US and Trump describes it as “a workable basis on which to negotiate.” Pakistan asserts ceasefire covers Israel attacks on Lebanon.
The temporary halt to US attacks after threatening the complete destruction of Iranian civilization, and the seeming acceptance of the negotiation framework offered by Iran are the two major wins for Tehran. The 10-point proposal includes a permanent end to the war, lifting of sanctions and a new order in the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, the US already lost, the moment Trump tweeted his intent to destroy Iranian civilization by targeting its power plants and bridges and other civilian facilities. It exposed that US imperialism has no red lines and will go to extreme lengths to get what it wants. Because of this, it has only been Israel that has stood with the US as NATO allies refused to take part in the conflict. Back home, Trump faces growing backlash over his remarks, even among his MAGA base. He has been accused of inciting war crimes and faces removal from office via Article 25 of the US constitution.
By standing up to US terrorism and refusing capitulation, Iran appears to get more now than during the negotiations before the war. Its control over the Strait of Hormuz, something it did not exercise before the war, is a clear outcome of this conflict. The US meanwhile has become increasingly isolated globally and Trump has become increasingly isolated domestically. Some say the US gets less now in negotiations than before the war started. So the US fails to effect its goal of regime change and forces Iran to seize control of the Strait. Lose-lose for the US, whichever way you see it.
Resisting US imperialism is not a losing proposition. It is a necessity for survival, for freedom. For all his bluster and incendiary rhetoric, Trump is weak and is on a losing streak. There are limits to what US imperialism can achieve using bombs and guns. The reality of the global economic crisis, and the resistance by various forces in and out of the US, are part of those limits.
No man gets to decide which civilization lives or dies. Trump and US imperialism still need to be defeated. Iran showed the way by standing up to the biggest bully in the world. For the Philippines, it is time to decisively reject the notion that the US is our protector and ally. It is not. It is the main scourge of the world, the cause of worldwide crisis and suffering, and its military presence here is not for our benefit.#
