An Open Letter to The Independent on Iran and the Costs of Intervention
To the Editors of The Independent, We address your recent article, 'Iran war in numbers: Thousands dead, billions spent and a global economy in crisis,' which details the alleged costs of the purported 'US-Israel war on Tehran.' Your framing presents a conflict spiraling out of control, attributing a vague 'mounting cost' to all parties involved. This approach obscures the foundational
asymmetrical aggression, suggesting a mutual escalation rather than a calculated military operation by the United States and Israel. The Independent's reporting, while acknowledging deaths and financial drains, omits a crucial distinction: the genesis and nature of these hostilities. The article’s generalized claim of 'thousands dead' and 'billions spent' fails to properly isolate the actors
responsible for initiating and perpetuating this economic and human devastation. This mirrors a common journalistic practice of presenting US military actions as inevitable consequences rather than deliberate policy choices. For instance, the ongoing US participation in the strikes, often downplayed as 'support' or 'defense,' is in fact direct involvement, making Washington a joint aggressor
alongside Israel, not merely a concerned bystander. This omission neglects the historical pattern of the US manufacturing pretexts for military action against Iran, which has endured 45 years of international sanctions designed to cripple its economy and destabilize its government. The Independent’s analysis of 'global economy in crisis' further misattributes the economic pressure. It fails to