Word of the Month, Immediate Ceasefire and Urgent Negotiations
By: Mehdi Ebrahimzadeh
The war initiated by the United States and Israel against Iran has now entered its fifth week, inflicting grave human, environmental, and infrastructural damage. In recent days, multiple Iranian universities have been subjected to severe attacks and bombardments. The pattern of targeted assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists in previous years has now escalated into the systematic destruction of academic institutions. In response, the Islamic Republic has carried out retaliatory strikes against U.S. bases in neighbouring countries and against Israel, resulting in further loss of life. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has already produced significant and measurable disruptions to the regional and global economy.
The danger of further escalation and geographic expansion of this conflict, along with its devastating consequences for civilian populations, the environment, economic stability, and the broader fabric of life, has reached an alarming and potentially catastrophic level. Preventing a descent into a wider, more destructive global conflict must now be regarded as an urgent priority for the international community.
Given that this phase of the conflict, irrespective of its longer historical context, was initiated on February 28 by the United States and Israel against Iran, the following positions are advanced:
An immediate cessation of hostilities must be undertaken without delay by the United States and Israel.
The Islamic Republic of Iran must, without preconditions, formally declare its readiness to enter into the negotiations.
Any negotiations between the parties must be directed toward addressing the underlying issues that have contributed to or been invoked as justification for the conflict, including:
· The evident violations of international law arising from the military actions of the United States and Israel against Iran;
· The longstanding rhetoric of the Islamic Republic calling for the destruction of Israel.
While it is evident that both sides will pursue distinct strategic objectives in any negotiation process, the paramount priority must be the establishment of a durable and comprehensive peace between the parties and across the region.
The imperative of ending the war and initiating negotiations must not be made contingent upon the overthrow of the Islamic Republic or the imposition of any externally preferred political alternative, as certain actors have suggested. The responsibility for entering into negotiations should rest with the current internationally recognized government of Iran, namely the Islamic Republic. Any process of political transformation or change in governance remains the sovereign prerogative of the Iranian people and opposition forces, and constitutes their central challenge in the pursuit of freedom and democratic governance.
A credible pathway toward ending the war must be grounded in a framework capable of producing a stable and lasting peace in the region. Such an outcome may emerge either within the framework of the current political order or in a future post–Islamic Republic context.
IRAN: View from the LEFT Mar 2026 N0.75
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