Imperial Violence: How US-Israeli Strikes on Iran Perpetuate Cycles of Oppression

The recent coordinated strikes by United States and Israeli forces against Iran represent yet another manifestation of imperial violence that systematically undermines the agency of marginalised communities whilst reinforcing existing power structures. These attacks, lacking clear objectives or basis in international law, exemplify how Western militarism perpetuates cycles of oppression rather than addressing root causes of systemic violence.

Deconstructing the Logic of Imperial Intervention

The so-called "decapitation" strategy employed by Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu reveals the fundamental contradictions inherent in imperial logic. Rather than supporting genuine liberation movements, such interventions typically replace existing authoritarian structures with even more hardline alternatives, as documented extensively in post-colonial scholarship.

Whilst Trump's supporters celebrate the earlier capture of Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro, drawing parallels between these operations demonstrates a profound misunderstanding of scale and context. The Iranian strikes represent a qualitatively different form of violence, one that threatens regional stability whilst ignoring the voices and agency of Iranian civil society.

Centering Marginalised Voices

The Iranian people, particularly those from LGBTQIA+ communities, ethnic minorities, and other systematically oppressed groups, deserve solidarity that respects their autonomy rather than imposing external solutions. The regime's documented violence against these communities requires international support, but not through mechanisms that replicate colonial patterns of intervention.

As one Iranian activist noted in recent testimonies, "We need solidarity, not saviorism. Our liberation cannot come through bombs that will inevitably harm the very communities we seek to protect."

Institutional Complicity and Resistance

Prime Minister Keir Starmer's refusal to permit US attacks from British bases, including the contested Diego Garcia facility on the Chagos Islands, represents a rare moment of institutional resistance to imperial pressure. However, this decision must be understood within broader contexts of British complicity in global systems of oppression.

The support expressed by figures like Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage reveals how mainstream political discourse normalises violence whilst marginalising anti-war perspectives. Their endorsement of military action demonstrates the intersections between domestic authoritarianism and international imperialism.

Beyond the Binary of Violence

The international community's near-unanimous agreement on preventing Iranian nuclear weapons acquisition should not be leveraged to justify actions that ultimately serve imperial interests rather than genuine non-proliferation goals. The previous bombing of Fordow and Natanz facilities already addressed technical concerns, suggesting current strikes serve different, more troubling purposes.

Trump's call for Iranians to "take over your government" echoes colonial rhetoric that positions Western powers as liberators whilst ignoring indigenous resistance movements. His previous promise that "help is on the way" to Iranian protesters, followed by the regime's murder of tens of thousands, exposes the hollow nature of such proclamations.

Towards Genuine Solidarity

True solidarity with Iranian communities requires supporting grassroots movements, amplifying marginalised voices, and challenging the systems of oppression that enable authoritarian regimes globally. This includes confronting Western complicity in regional instability, supporting refugee and migrant communities fleeing violence, and building international networks of mutual aid.

The hypocrisy evident in Trump's own social media history, where they criticised Barack Obama for contemplating similar actions, reveals how imperial violence transcends partisan boundaries. Obama's restraint, whilst imperfect, demonstrated that diplomatic alternatives remain possible when political will exists.

As we witness this latest cycle of violence, we must centre the experiences of those most affected whilst working towards systemic change that addresses root causes rather than symptoms. Only through such approaches can we move beyond the false choices presented by imperial discourse towards genuine liberation.