‘Bombs won’t bring liberation’: Israel’s war on Iran and Canada’s quiet complicity

Quick Overview

Israel's full-scale war on Iran, launched under the unconfirmed pretext of an imminent nuclear attack, has resulted in significant civilian casualties and widespread psychological warfare, with Canada quietly complicit through its unwavering support for Israel. The Iranian people, despite their government's failures, assert that foreign bombs will not bring them liberation.

Key Points: Israel initiated a full-scale war in Iran, claiming an imminent nuclear attack, a claim unconfirmed by the international community, including Israel's closest allies. Israeli airstrikes targeted nuclear facilities, residential, and commercial sites, killing at least 224 people and injuring over 1,277, while Iran's retaliatory strikes killed 24 and wounded 590 in Israel. The strikes have caused widespread chaos, displacement, and psychological distress, with evacuation orders often impractical due to internet blackouts and limited mobility. Iran's government has failed to protect its citizens, lacking bomb shelters, unlike Israel, leading to a "real sense of abandonment" among Iranians. The attacks appear aimed at sabotaging US-Iran nuclear negotiations and weakening the entire Iranian regime apparatus, not just nuclear sites, as evidenced by strikes on police and intelligence headquarters. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney reaffirmed Israel's right to defend itself, stating Iran is the "principal source of regional instability and terror," despite Canada exporting $19 million in arms to Israel in 2024. Iranians, despite their disdain for their own government, reject foreign intervention, asserting, "If your vision of liberation comes only through the destruction of innocent lives, then it's not freedom you're after."

Context: The discussion centers on Israel's recent full-scale military operation inside Iran, launched on June 19th, under the pretext of preventing an imminent nuclear attack. This conflict has escalated rapidly, involving retaliatory missile strikes from Iran into Israel, and raises fears of US involvement. The interview features Dona Zay, a senior editor at The Breach who grew up in Iran, providing firsthand accounts of the humanitarian impact and geopolitical analysis.