PEOPLE FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT

HUMAN SURVIVAL PROJECT

NO WAR WITH IRAN: AUSTRALIA MUST STAY WELL CLEAR OF MIDDLE EAST/TRUMP MADNESS

STRIKE ON FORDOW COULD STILL ACCELLERATE NOT PREVENT, AN IRANIAN BOMB

STRIKES ON FORDOW MAY HAVE SWEPT AWAY THE FATWA THAT SAYS NUCLEAR WEAPONS ARE UN-ISLAMIC

Australia should steer well clear of any involvement whatsoever, unless as a mediator or a provider of aid, in the escalating war between Iran, Israel and now the United States.

Those of us old enough, remember how intelligence was doctored, suppressed and plain ignored in the lead-up to the misguided 2003 war with Iraq, to support a narrative that Iraq was on the verge of acquiring nuclear weapons when it was nowhere near such a capability.

Iran is a slightly different case – different yet similar. Different because in Iran’s case, no definitive decision had (or had to date) been made to acquire a nuclear weapons capacity, but Iran had nonetheless come closer and closer to having such a capacity propelled no doubt by a powerful faction in the IGRC who want it. The only obstacle to that acquisition and its weaponisation was a legal islamic 'fatwa' that said nuclear weapons are un-islamic.

Donald Trumps B2 bombers and their 'bunker busters' may well have swept away that fatwa yet failed to cripple Iran’s capability to assemble a warhead.

One problem is that we don't actually know for sure just how deep Fordow really is. If it is not so deep, then the bunker busters may have destroyed it. If its a few levels deeper then maybe not.

Another problem is that potentially bomb grade material may have actually been removed from Fordow and hidden who-knows-where, where the B52s don't know where it is.

What is certain is that the recent US strikes will cement a decision to weaponise in Iran if its on the verge of doing so, and push it to do so even if it had not decided to do so.

The only way to be certain Iran would never acquire a nuclear capability would be to invade with ground troops, and be prepared for a truly colossal body count and for a war that as in Iraq, might last for years and even decades.

A forever war.

Do we want one of those?

Australia must stay right out of this entirely unnecessary and deeply counterproductive conflict. What we CAN do is to provide humanitarian assistance to both sides, and be prepared to use our diplomats in a mediatory capacity, and thats what we should be doing.

John Hallam

People for Nuclear Disarmament

Human Survival Project

Nuclear Weapons Campaigner

Co-Convenor, Abolition 2000 Nuclear Risk Reduction Working Group

Member, No First Use Group Global Steering Committee

Convenor, PNND Australia

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