The retaliatory reaction by the Islamic Republic against Israel's deadly missile attack on the building of the Iranian consulate in Damascus under the name of "Sadiq Promise" marked a night full of fear and worry in Iran. Millions of Iranians inside and outside the country spent the early hours of the morning in an atmosphere full of stress and tension, fearing the formation of the ominous shadow of war over the sky of their country.
The Islamic Republic, which has never valued the well-being and livelihood of the people and the preservation of their rights and lives, and has advanced its own political agenda by spreading death under the cover of the culture of martyrdom, has exposed the country's national security and stability to great danger. There is now concern that Israel's counter-reaction will lead to a series of counter-retaliatory operations with unclear future.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has justified the "Sadiq Promise" operation in the form of a "limited response" under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter as "legitimate defense", which, considering the history of conflicts and the escalation of attacks by its proxy groups against Israel after the start of the Gaza war as controversial and questionable issue. The "Union for Secular Republic and Human Rights in Iran" (USRHR), the title "retaliation" is appropriate for this operation.
Although, based on the facts and observations, the alleged goals were not achieved, it brought the old conflict and the unnatural tension imposed on Israel-Iran relations into a new phase with the escalation of tensions. Now the scenario of the escalation of the conflict from a proxy war to a limited direct confrontation and then to a full-scale war is likely, which has serious destructive consequences for Iran's dying economy and the country's national security, and puts the lives and health of Iranian citizens in serious danger.
Broadcasting of fake videos of rockets being hit their target by the government media and announcing the destruction of the intended targets in the statements of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps when the air weapons launched had not yet entered the sky of Israel is a sign of the regime's growing addiction to show and propaganda, which has become more vulgar than ever.
The only serious casualty of the "Sadiq Promise" operation was a twelve-year-old Israeli Arab girl from the Negev desert, who was far from the shelter because of her family's camping. Thus, it became clear once again that, contrary to the targeting of attacks on military areas, the main victims of the retaliatory operations of the Islamic Republic are civilians. Since the Israeli army has claimed that it has intercepted and destroyed 99% of the rockets and drones that have reached the skies of Israeli cities and only the Novatim air base has suffered minor damage, therefore, the reaction by the Israeli government is not relevant and is considered a provocative act to spread the war. Israel's refusal to retaliate will close the current unprecedented confrontation case and pave the way for the tension to return to the level before the missile attack on Damascus on April 13.
"USRHR" condemns the adventurism and committing risky actions and disproportionate reactions by the Islamic Republic and the Israeli government, and calls for a stable de-escalation in the Middle East and an immediate stop to the Gaza war as the main reason for the unprecedented increase in the level of tension between Iran and Israel.
At the same time, we warn the Islamic Republic to stop the security measures and punishment of those who actively and publicly oppose the military and strategic actions of the Islamic Republic against Israel. Regardless of their opinions in any field, Iranian citizens are allowed to express their opinions without fear.
In our opinion, total opposition to war and warmongering policies, rejection of militarism and emphasis on sustainable peace is the most appropriate response from Iranian citizens so that the conditions of the country do not become worse.
Political-Executive Board of Union for Secular Republic and Human rights in Iran
April 14, 2024