Jeffrey Sachs: War on Iran 'Illusions' Created by Trump and Netanyahu, No Peace Without a Palestinian State

American intellectual and director of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, Jeffrey Sachs, described American and Israeli military moves against Iran as a 'war of illusions' lacking realism. He explained in statements to media sources that this confrontation was built on erroneous intelligence and political assessments that deluded themselves into believing in the ability to subjugate Tehran by military force, pointing out that the absence of a clear path to achieving goals is the main reason behind the decline in international support for these approaches.

Sachs held only two individuals responsible for the current escalation: Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump, emphasizing that this war is not based on popular support in the United States or the European continent. He called on international powers, especially the Gulf states, to take a firm stance demanding an immediate cessation of military operations, warning that persistence in this approach will only lead to more chaos and instability in the regional security structure.

Regarding political solutions, the American intellectual asserted that there can be no talk of sustainable peace in the Middle East without a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue in accordance with international law. He stressed that the core of conflicts in the region is linked to the absence of an independent Palestinian state, calling for its establishment on the lands of Gaza and the West Bank with Jerusalem as its capital, considering that the Israeli rejection of this entitlement is the real fuel for the cycle of ongoing conflicts.

Sachs also directed scathing criticism at American foreign policy, pointing to the profound impact of what he described as the 'Zionist lobby' in pushing Washington towards wars of attrition in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Libya. He believed that these interventions did not serve the interests of stability, but rather hindered real peace opportunities and led to the fragmentation of the political fabric of several Arab countries, which necessitates a comprehensive review of American alliances and sovereign decisions in the region.

Sachs refuted the claims of victory promoted by the White House regarding the war on Iran, emphasizing that the on-the-ground and economic reality indicates a deep crisis that has not yet been overcome. He cited the failure of this war by the continued global economic tensions, rising energy prices, and disruption of navigation in vital waterways, considering that these indicators reflect a strategic failure at all military and political levels.

Sachs concluded his vision by emphasizing that ending the conflict is possible immediately if the United States and Israel decide to withdraw and return to diplomatic paths, warning of the catastrophic cost of continuing the military option. He also touched on the internal American situation, considering that the assassination attempts against Trump are a reflection of a societal crisis linked to the spread of weapons and sharp division, despite ruling out their direct impact on the course of ongoing foreign wars.

The current war is a war of illusions created by Netanyahu and Trump, and it does not enjoy widespread popular support in the West.