– Abdul Bari Masoud
New Delhi: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has strongly denounced what it called the “belligerent and reckless” statements by U.S. President Donald Trump on Iran, warning that such rhetoric could destabilize the entire West Asian region and plunge the world into a new phase of conflict.
In a sharply worded statement on Wednesday, the CPI(M) expressed grave concern over what it described as an “open threat” by President Trump to assassinate Iranian leaders and impose unconditional surrender on Iran. “Such rhetoric will further escalate tensions and push the entire West Asia region towards war and instability,” the party cautioned.
The CPI(M) pointed to the increasing mobilization of U.S. military fleets in the region as a sign of the United States’ readiness to join Israel in military strikes against Iran. “These developments are dangerous and risk pushing the region and the world to the brink of a devastating war,” the statement noted.
The party also criticised the G-7 countries for what it called a “one-sided and biased” approach to the crisis. Referring to the G-7 statement released at the recent summit in Canada, the CPI(M) said it was “reprehensible” that the group condemned Iran while ignoring Israel’s aggressive military campaigns across the region.
“It is evident that Israel bears primary responsibility for the rising tensions and ongoing instability in West Asia,” the statement said. “Beginning with its genocidal assault on Gaza, Israel has deliberately expanded its military actions to other countries in the region, including Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and now Iran.”
The CPI(M) accused the United States and its Western allies of propping up Israel as a “rogue state” in a bid to assert imperial hegemony over West Asia. “The US and Western imperialism are using a rogue state, Israel, to impose their hegemony… in blatant violation of international laws and conventions,” the party charged.
The CPI(M) called upon the international community to urgently intervene and prevent the slide towards war. “There must be global pressure on the US and Israel to cease their aggressive actions and return to diplomacy,” the statement said, warning that continued silence would embolden further acts of war and repression.
Criticism was also levelled at India’s foreign policy under the BJP-led government. The CPI(M) urged the Narendra Modi administration to abandon what it called a “pro-US, pro-Israel” orientation and return to India’s long-standing commitment to non-alignment and solidarity with the Global South.
“A genuine commitment to the Global South requires solidarity with other nations to collectively demand an immediate end to Israel’s aggression and that of its principal backer, the United States,” it asserted.
The party’s remarks come amid rising tensions across West Asia following weeks of Israeli air raids in Gaza and reported drone attacks in Iranian border provinces. Meanwhile, diplomatic ties between Tehran and Western capitals have worsened, particularly in the aftermath of U.S. sanctions and Israel’s expanding military footprint in neighbouring countries.
Geopolitical analysts have warned that the mounting hostilities could have ripple effects across South Asia, including economic shocks due to rising oil prices, and potential threats to the millions of Indian expatriates working in Gulf countries. India imports nearly 85% of its crude oil requirements, much of it from the Gulf region.
In this context, the CPI(M) cautioned that India could ill afford to be seen as partisan in a volatile international dispute. “By tilting towards the US and Israel, the BJP government is placing India on the wrong side of history and compromising our national interest,” the statement said.
The CPI(M)’s position aligns with broader Left and progressive forces globally, many of whom have condemned Western military interventions in West Asia and expressed solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
With the crisis intensifying, pressure is mounting on governments across the world to take a principled stance that promotes de-escalation, respects international law, and restores the primacy of diplomacy.
