The world today, is in the midst of war, once again! This war must be stopped immediately!
It is already five days, since the United States and Israel attacked Iran on 28 February. There seems to be no letting up, as the war continues to escalate. Everything seems to be going out of control; the entire world seems to be affected in some way or the other. When the US attacked Iran, President Donald Trump did so without the mandatory Congressional approval; he did not consult with the United Nations, and the US does not have the support of their traditional allies. Many are condemning the unjustifiable attacks on Iran. Spain has been outright in this condemnation with the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez referring to the attacks as “unjustifiable” and “dangerous”. In a televised nationwide address on 4 February, he said that Spain’s position was “no to the war” adding that “this is how humanity’s great disasters start … The world cannot solve its problems with conflicts and bombs.”
António Guterres, the Secretary General of the United Nations, wasted no time in issuing a statement, unequivocally stating, “I condemn today’s military escalation in the Middle East. The use of force by the United States and Israel against Iran, and the subsequent retaliation by Iran across the region, undermine international peace and security. All Member States must respect their obligations under international law, including the Charter of the United Nations. The Charter clearly prohibits “the threat of the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.” I reiterate that there is no viable alternative to the peaceful settlement of international disputes, in full accordance with international law, including the UN Charter. The Charter provides the foundation for the maintenance of international peace and security.”
The United States/Israel axis has succeeded in killing the Supreme leader of Iran. On March 1, the Iranian State Television reported that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in US-Israel airstrikes; also killed were Iran’s chief of army staff and defense minister and several other high ranking officials. Most of the world has condemned these murders stating that the US/Israel had no right to kill the head of State/ Government of another country. The world knows that this war on Iran, has nothing to do with the alleged nuclear weapons of Iran; it has everything do so with the Epstein files (a cover-up for Trump and the other big names); of the desperate need of the US to have oil from Iran to complement (and to thin) the crude oil they have robbed from Venezuela. Then, on the other hand, we have Netanyahu: his falling ratings in Israel, coupled with his war crimes against the Palestinian people! (For which is his a ‘wanted’ person in most parts of the world!)
The missiles attacks also destroyed a girl’s primary school in Minab, southern Iran, killing around 150(mainly girl students) and wounding several others. UNESCO expressed deep alarm at the impact of the military attacks. It also noted that pupils in a place dedicated to learning are protected under international humanitarian law, and that “attacks against educational institutions endanger students and teachers and undermine the right to education.”
Are the bullies of this world listening? Whose war is it, anyway? Several world leaders (not India) have condemned the attacks on Iran and the killing of their Supreme Leader and of innocent people. Millions all over the world have come out on the streets, to protest, demanding that the war stops immediately! There is an outrage everywhere, as people rightly target the US and Israeli regimes and their military! Obviously, a good percentage of the media – controlled by the warmongers, will not highlight this reality (they are not reporting of how as a retaliatory measure, Iran has also destroyed several US bases in parts of the Middle East). There is enough of evidence and factual data, to show who the perpetrators of these terrible crimes against humanity are! There are cries for peace – underlining the painful reality, that in any war, the greatest victims, the people who suffer the most – are the poor, the vulnerable and marginalised; those who have to eke out a living; whose very existence is on their meagre daily earnings. Many of them have lost everything. Powerful nations (like Israel and the US) and their crony capitalist friends, unfortunately justify every attack, every bombing, and every killing! No one is looking at the consequences of war: of how reality irreversibly changes for the victims; how there is irreparable devastation and wanton destruction of both of life and property.
Endless debates have begun everywhere on this current war – and of who is winning! The plain truth is that no one is winning: our world is just becoming more insecure and unsafe! Thousands of travellers (particularly the international ones) are stranded everywhere! Several questions are being asked at every level: who decides whether any nation has the right to go to war, or attack the sovereignty of another nation? What about the role and responsibility of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)? The IAEA was established in 1957 – in the wake of what took place in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It is an international organization that aims to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and prevent its use for military purposes; it serves as a global forum for scientific and technical cooperation in the nuclear field. The IAEA’s work includes monitoring nuclear facilities, reporting on nuclear activities, ensuring safety, and fostering diplomacy. Why do nations, particularly the United States and Israel, not pay heed to these universal monitoring bodies? After the entire world said “Never Again!” post-World War II, and signed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 – can the world’s people afford World War III?
Then there is the role of the arms and ammunition industry. President Dwight D. Eisenhower popularised the term ‘military- industrial complex’. In his farewell address on January 17, 1961, Eisenhower highlighted how the combination of a permanent military establishment and a large arms industry could lead to significant societal and political consequences. During his tenure as President, Eisenhower became increasingly convinced that corporate interests were beginning to monopolize national interests. This is exactly what is happening today. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) publishes annually a very objective and accurate data- base on military spending the world over and on the key corporations that make huge profits because of war. War, is a lucrative business!
Late Pope Francis minced no words in taking on the arms and ammunition industry saying that they promoted a ‘culture of death’ In September 2025, whilst addressing a joint sitting of the US Congress he stated unequivocally, “being at the service of dialogue and peace also means being truly determined to minimize and, in the long term, to end the many armed conflicts throughout our world… Why are deadly weapons being sold to those who plan to inflict untold suffering on individuals and society?” He answered it himself saying, “sadly, the answer, as we all know, is simply for money: money that is drenched in blood, often innocent blood. In the face of this shameful and culpable silence, it is our duty to confront the problem and to stop the arms trade.” No one of course paid heed to his urgent plea!
In his path-breaking Encyclical (October 2020) ‘Fratelli Tutti’ (Brothers and Sisters All) he devoted an entire section titled ‘The injustice of war’ (#256-262). Among the several critical and urgent issues, which he raises, he states, “since conditions that favour the outbreak of wars are once again increasing, I can only reiterate “war is the negation of all rights and a dramatic assault on the environment. If we want true integral human development for all, we must work tirelessly to avoid war between nations and peoples. We can no longer think of war as a solution, because its risks will probably always be greater than its supposed benefits. In view of this, it is very difficult nowadays to invoke the rational criteria elaborated in earlier centuries to speak of the possibility of a “just war”. Never again war! We are experiencing a “world war fought piecemeal”; since the destinies of countries are so closely interconnected on the global scene…Every war leaves our world worse than it was before. War is a failure of politics and of humanity, a shameful capitulation, a stinging defeat before the forces of evil. With the money spent on weapons and other military expenditures, let us establish a global fund that can finally put an end to hunger and favour development in the most impoverished countries, so that their citizens will not resort to violent or illusory solutions, or have to leave their countries in order to seek a more dignified life.” These incisive statements from official Church teaching, is a call to immediate, substantial action!
Pope Leo XIV has been consistently bringing to the attention of world community the futility of war and why peace must be pursued and should triumph immediately. On Sunday 1 March, during the Angelus message referring to the current war, he said, “stability and peace are not achieved through mutual threats, nor through the use of weapons, which sow destruction, suffering, and death, but only through reasonable, sincere, and responsible dialogue.” On 4 March, speaking informally to a group of journalists he said, “Pray for peace, work for peace, less hatred. Hatred in the world is constantly increasing.”
Mahatma Gandhi once famously said, “an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” These words are so true today! In May 1969, in Montreal, Canada, Beatle John Lennon composed and sang the song together with Yoko Ono, ‘Give Peace a Chance’. It soon became an anthem of the anti-war movement during the 1970’s; thousands marched everywhere and sang
“All we are saying is give peace a chance
All we are saying is give peace a chance”
In the wake of the terrible war that has engulfed the world today, we must not only sing song of peace and come out on the streets, but we all need to do all we can to Stop the War – IMMDIATELY!
March 5, 2026
(The author is an internationally renowned human rights, reconciliation and peace activist. He is also a prolific writer. Contact cedricprakash@gmail.com)
Related:
India: Left at the forefront, opposition & people protests US-Israel attacks on Iran
Hegemony by might: Gaza, Iran and the failures of nuclear power politics
Iran war: from the Middle East to America, history shows you cannot assassinate your way to peace