Stop the War Immediately!
Under the long-standing and mutual tensions between the Islamic Republic of Iran, the United States, and Israel, Iran once again became the target of the heaviest military strikes by Israel and the United States amidst negotiations. These strikes, violating established principles of international law, are claimed to aim at weakening, coercing, or overthrowing the government. However, their fallout has been extensive destruction, damage to the country’s vital infrastructure, and an increase in civilian casualties.
From our perspective of “No to war and no to the Islamic Republic,” this conflict is an absolute evil. It neither brings democracy nor security and well-being for the people. It has been launched in accordance with the interests of the United States and Israel. Humanity lies buried beneath the rubble of bombings, and the lives of millions of innocent people—who were already suffering under the repression and violence of the Islamic Republic—are now subjected to even greater destruction. The killing of children in a school in Minab and attacks on hospitals, medical centres, refineries, and other civilian sites show that the claim of “precision targeting” and purely military objectives is just a lie; it largely results in the deaths of those who have no role in these conflicts.
Alongside these aggressions, the policies of the Islamic Republic — from the very beginning until now — through the suppression of citizens’ rights, the killing of protesters, anti-Western rhetoric, slogans calling for the elimination of Israel, regional adventurism, and support for proxy forces that have no connection to the national interests of Iranians, have become one of the main sources of instability in the region. A government that, even in the midst of war and after the horrific killings in January, continues to threaten its own people cannot claim to defend them or pursue a just and lasting peace.
The clash of these two conflicting policies has ultimately resulted in a conflict that has expanded through attacks by the Islamic Republic on neighbouring countries, spreading across the region and threatening the security of both the people of Iran and the wider area. However, we should not forget that the primary responsibility for starting this war lies with the United States and Israel.
We, the signatories of this statement advocating for a democratic transition in Iran, firmly reject war as a means of resolving international disputes. We highlight the Iranian people’s right to shape their own future and achieve political change within Iran, rather than through foreign intervention. We urge everyone to become independent voices for peace and democracy. This voice does not support aggression, occupation, repression, or authoritarianism, but instead stands with the people suffering under the rubble of war and destructive government policies.
We call on the global community, international peace and human rights organizations, media outlets, governments, and progressive political groups, not to stay silent, and to condemn any form of providing direct or indirect support for war. Instead, they should back peace initiatives and utilize all political and diplomatic tools to promptly halt the war, prevent its spread, and stop military assaults. Protecting human lives — especially those of children and vulnerable groups — must come before any political or military interests. Hospitals, schools, and homes must become safe sanctuaries. It is also vital to ramp up international pressure for the release of political prisoners whose lives are at risk and who may be the first to fall victim to government retaliation.
Only through the immediate cessation of war from both sides, adherence to international rules, a return to diplomacy and political solutions, and the adoption of humane approaches can the current deadly cycle be overcome. Such a solution would make possible a future in which security, peace, freedom, and human dignity are not sacrificed to power rivalries. In this regard, the formation of the broadest possible global will against war is an urgent necessity.
Signed by over 300 Iranian academics, journalists, lawyers, and human rights activists in different parts of the world.