"US-Israeli aggression against Iran has actually major global implications": Former Ambassador Sanjay Panda
Bhubaneswar, March 1
Former Indian Ambassador to Turkey, Sanjay Panda, on Sunday addressed the escalating Israel-Iran conflict, noting that the military actions taken by the United States and Israel carry significant consequences for the global political landscape.
Speaking to ANI on the situation, Sanjay Panda stated, "US-Israeli aggression against Iran has actually major global implications. It has changed the way the game is played in international relations and in geopolitics."
The diplomat underlined that the current hostilities are not a sudden development but part of a longer trajectory of tensions.
"Now, what has happened is not something which started overnight," Panda noted pointing to previous military engagements as precursors to the present escalation.
He further elaborated on the timeline, noting, "We had the first indication of what was going to happen in June last year when Israel and the US launched an attack on the three nuclear facilities in Iran."
Panda's remarks come amid heightened tensions in West Asia following joint missile strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran in which Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the strikes..
Explosions were reported in Tehran and other major cities, with Iranian state media claiming that Ali Khamenei's daughter, grandchild, daughter-in-law, and son-in-law were killed in the Israeli-US strikes.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump announced the death of Khamenei, calling it justice for the people of Iran.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, "Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead. This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans... The heavy and pinpoint bombing, however, will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective of PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED, THE WORLD."
Iran has announced 40 days of public mourning, according to Iranian state media.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Very sobering analysis. The "game" has indeed changed. When major powers act unilaterally like this, it undermines the entire international system. Where does it stop? This escalation makes me deeply worried for global peace.
While I understand the geopolitical concerns, let's not forget the Iranian people have suffered under that regime for decades. Maybe this creates an opening for change? But the method... taking out a Supreme Leader... is extreme and will have massive repercussions.
The ambassador's point about this being a long trajectory is key. This didn't happen in a vacuum. But the scale now is terrifying. My immediate worry is oil prices. If they spike, it will hit every Indian household's budget. Petrol, diesel, LPG... everything will become more expensive.
Respectfully, while the analysis is good, it feels a bit detached from the human cost mentioned later. The article says family members were killed too. This isn't just geopolitics; it's a tragedy for innocent people caught in the middle. India's voice should also emphasize protecting civilian lives.
"Peace throughout the Middle East" through continuous bombing? The contradiction in that statement is staggering. This feels like a recipe for a wider war. India needs a strong, independent foreign policy more than ever. We cannot afford to get pulled into this.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.