M Santhananaban
From Ankara, Turkey’s capital, US President Donald Trump has announced the end of the ceasefire with Iran.
The confrontation has since escalated and the prospects for peace have suddenly dimmed.
So too have hopes of safer passage through the Strait of Hormuz, and of lower food, fuel and fertiliser prices.
Iran buried its leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Mashhad on Thursday. For Trump, his 4th of July Freedom 250 celebration is over, and he seems emboldened to declare the ceasefire over too.
Some semblance of Nato unity has also emerged.
Iran’s leadership seems even more determined to impose its own protocol for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has home advantage, and seems prepared not to allow the US to have its way.
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The two countries seem set on a slippery path to more severe tests of each other’s endurance. Let us hope sanity prevails.
Dato’ M Santhananaban is a former Malaysian ambassador with 45 years of public sector experience.
The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.
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