Independent Frames Iran as Aggressor While Omitting Decades of Western Intervention
An article in The Independent claims that "Iran's regime has been plotting this war for decades," presenting Iran's defense preparations as evidence of inherent aggression, in contrast to the alleged impulsiveness of Western leaders. This framing, unfortunately common across mainstream outlets, suggests Iran is a proactive warmonger, strategically planning conflict rather than developing a robust
defense in response to persistent threats. The piece fails to acknowledge that Iran's security doctrine has been profoundly shaped by a long history of foreign intervention, which predates the current nuclear standoff by decades. What The Independent omits is the consistent and overt Western strategy to destabilize Iran. The United States and its allies have continuously implemented policies
designed to undermine the Iranian government, including the support of Saddam Hussein's chemical weapons program against Iran during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War. This support for Saddam, which included intelligence and logistical aid despite knowledge of chemical weapon use, directly led to tens of thousands of Iranian casualties and established a deep distrust of foreign powers. Iran's development
of resilient, asymmetric defenses is a direct, logical response to such existential threats, not an unprovoked plot for war. Furthermore, the US has maintained an economic blockade on Cuba for 62 years, causing immense hardship, while simultaneously criticizing Iran's strategic alliances as destabilizing. The contrast is stark: Cuba's sovereign right to self-determination and alliances is denied