"Escalation not in interest of people...": Expert Waiel Awwad weighs in on US-Iran war
New Delhi, August 2
Foreign affairs expert Waiel Awwad said that any further escalation of the conflict between the US and Iran would not be in the interest of either the American people or the wider region.
His remarks come after US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday (local time) the cancellation of a planned strike on Iran, subject to being able to rapidly make a deal with the Persian Gulf country, while noting that Israel has joined him in this commitment.
Speaking to ANI, Awwad said the rhetoric from the White House had been accompanied by attacks on civilian targets and retaliatory actions by Iran, raising concerns over a broader regional conflict.
"We have been listening to all the rhetoric coming from the White House regarding the attack on Iran. We have seen attacks on civilian targets and many people have been getting killed. Iran also retaliated. I believe any kind of an escalation will also lead to the closure of the Bab al-Mandeb," he said.
Referring to domestic political considerations in the US, Awwad said Trump was facing declining popularity and public resentment over rising oil prices and commodity costs.
"He's losing popularity in the US. He's also going for a midterm election. He's facing lots of resentment from the American people with the rise of oil and commodities. So therefore, what is the point if you have already said you destroyed all the military targets when you still wanted to go for attacking Iran?"
He added that these factors collectively indicate that the conflict is not in the interest of anyone.
"It's a clear indication that escalation of this war is not in the interest of the people, nor the interest of the Americans," Awwad told ANI.
In his post on Saturday, Trump also said there have been urgent appeals from Middle Eastern Countries to hold off any strike as "perimeters of a deal have been agreed to".
He asserted this would include immediate and total opening of the Hormuz Strait and an end to Iran's nuclear threat.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As someone who follows geopolitics closely, Waiel Awwad makes excellent points. Trump's policy has been erratic - first threatening strikes, then pulling back. The Bab al-Mandeb closure would be catastrophic for global shipping, and India relies heavily on that route for oil imports. We need stability in the region, not more chaos.
India's foreign policy has always been about strategic autonomy, and this is exactly why. While we maintain good relations with both the US and Iran, we should be using our diplomatic channels to encourage dialogue. Escalation only leads to more refugees, more instability, and higher prices for common people everywhere.
With all due respect to the expert, but this seems like typical US election season theatre. Trump wants to look tough before midterms while avoiding another quagmire. Meanwhile, India gets caught in the crossfire with oil prices and our workers in Gulf countries at risk. The US needs to stop playing global policeman.
Remember when the US invaded Iraq claiming 'weapons of mass destruction'? And look how that turned out - millions displaced, regional chaos, and then ISIS rose from the ashes. Now they're doing the same propaganda with Iran. India must be loud about de-escalation because our development depends on stable energy prices and peaceful Gulf region. 🙏
Respectful critique here - while I agree escalation isn't good, Western experts often overlook that Iran's nuclear program and support for proxies across the region are legitimate concerns for its neighbours. But the approach of maximum pressure with no off-ramp just pushes Iran into a corner. We need
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.