The illegal attack on Iran by the United States and Israel in late February of this year was code-named Operation Epic Fury, promising to annihilate Iran’s military assets and leadership.
They talked of regime change expecting that a proud nation of 92 million people would capitulate in a few days.
How wrong this has proven to be.
A number of leaders were killed early on under a barrage of missiles and other projectiles, with considerable destruction to buildings and infrastructure throughout the country resulting in the displacement of over three million people.
American missiles struck a girls’ school resulting in the deaths of over 150 pupils.
Iran responded with missiles of its own directed at American bases in the Gulf States causing significant damage, as well as targeting Israel.
They also took control of the Strait of Hormuz allowing passage of ships to a number of countries until this was stopped by an American naval blockade.
The reduced fuel exports from the Middle East have impacted adversely on all economies around the world, with New Zealand, as we know, not immune.
Fertilisers and other essential products have also been curtailed.
The Iranians did not capitulate as had been anticipated and it seems have become more unified and resolute in the face of this aggression.
United States President Donald Trump made an appalling threat at one point to “bomb the country back to the stone age.”
An initial ceasefire of the conflict was announced on April 8 for a period of two weeks, with Pakistan acting as mediator in the negotiations.
A further 60-day extension followed, but with little obvious progress until recently.
However, what could be an important diplomatic breakthrough has just occurred, where both the United States and Iran have agreed to enter into a memorandum of understanding.
There will then be a further 60-day extension of the ceasefire, during which time it is hoped the parties will reach an agreement bringing an end to the war.
The initial objective is to have the Strait of Hormuz operational again, as soon as is practical.
Issues around Iranian frozen assets, sanctions and reconstruction funds will be part of ongoing discussions as well as American concerns over that country’s nuclear programme.
Arguably, Operation Epic Fury has primarily resulted in epic misery for those directly impacted in Iran and Lebanon and to a lesser extent the Gulf States, but also ongoing economic pain internationally.
American and Israeli credibility has been dented because of the unlawful and ill-conceived war they initiated.
Congress was never consulted and the United Nations was bypassed.
It was also started while the parties were still in the midst of negotiations.
The justification provided by the US administration was less than convincing and notable too that Joe Kent, former Director of the Counter Terrorism Centre (who resigned from his position shortly following the attack), stated “Iran did not pose an imminent threat to the United States.”
In June last year America launched Operation Midnight Hammer, resulting in buster bombs being dropped on several Iranian nuclear sites and facilities.
President Trump shortly after stated the strikes “completely and totally obliterated Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities.”
His current assertion and Israel’s that Iran poses a significant nuclear threat, therefore appears to be baseless.
It remains to be seen how America finally extricates itself from the disaster it has unnecessarily created.
Operation Epic Fury was not only illegal under international law, but was seriously flawed in its planning and expected outcome.
The closure early on by Iran of the Strait of Hormuz has proven to be a fatal blow.
It is in all of our interests however, that these new negotiations produce an outcome that benefits all countries of the world.
This has been brought about by an excess of hubris and an overwhelming sense of American superiority and power.
One can only hope that future American leaders exercise careful thought and reflection in their decision-making role and importantly display dignity and maturity in relating to and dealing with the nations of the world.
• Joss Miller is a retired Dunedin lawyer.
