War in the Middle East
Introduced by Moses Klein
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On February 28, Israel and the United States began military attacks on Iran, and Iran retaliated with attacks on neighbouring countries, targeting transportation infrastructure and oil industries as well as US military bases. Estimates vary, but the Human Rights Activists News Agency reports that, as of March 11, there have been a minimum of 1262 Iranian civilians killed, and a minimum of 1787 total killed.[1] The supreme leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was among those killed in the first wave of attacks; his son, Mojtoba Khamenei, has since been designated as the new supreme leader. The war has also disrupted shipping, oil exports, and air travel across the Middle East; Iran has reportedly also mined the Strait of Hormuz.[2] Some Iranian exiles, particularly supporters of a monarchist restoration, have welcomed the war, hoping it would lead to regime change.[3]
Questions
1. Can the attacks by Israel and the United States be justified?
2. Can any of the retaliatory measures by Iran be justified?
3. Was the assassination of Khamenei justified?
4. What outcomes can you see coming from this war?
5. How should the government of Canada have responded?
6. The president of the United States has claimed the right to veto the Iranian succession. Is there any justification for this claim?
Sources
(1) https://www.en-hrana.org/day-eleven-of-the-u-s-israeli-war-on-iran-tragedy-on-resalat-highway/
(3) See e.g. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/iranians-sudbury-reaction-attacks-9.7113293
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