Editorials In Pakistani Dailies On Israeli Strikes In Iran Warn Of Regional Instability: 'The Fact That The Israeli Airstrikes Spared Iran's Nuclear... Facilities Is A Welcome Development'; 'Iran Is Unlikely To Keep Its Cool And Will Cross The Nuclear Rubicon'

Following Iran's attacks in Israel and the subsequent Israeli strikes in Iran on October 26, 2024, several leading Pakistani newspapers wrote editorials, blaming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel for escalating the war in the Middle East and warning that the region's stability was threatened.

"The question on everyone's mind is: What will happen next? Answers, however, remain elusive as both nations offer conflicting narratives and justifications for their actions," wrote The Daily Times and urged the international community to hold Israel accountable. The Tribune Express observed in an editorial: "If Europe and the U.S. continue to exhibit their partisanship for the Zionist state, their interests worldwide could be under fire."

In an editorial, the liberal daily Dawn called for "immediate, unconditional ceasefire in Gaza" and added: "The Palestinian people have a right not to be slaughtered by Israel." The News, a leading daily, wrote: "Iran's pledge to respond leaves the region – and beyond – waiting to see what that will entail."

Following are excerpts from The Daily Times editorial:[1]

"For All Those Giving The Netanyahu Doctrine A Gold Star For Deliberate Precise Strikes, Leaving Open The Room For De-Escalation, Might Do Well To Remember That He Is On A Mission To Obliterate Gaza"

"Many would point fingers at Iran's barrage of missiles on October 2, prompting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to issue a stern warning. Quite interestingly and very conveniently, they overlook a long list of red lines Israel has crossed in international politics in the last couple of months by attacks on Iranian consulates, massacres in Lebanon, Ismail Haniyeh's assassination in what can only be decried as a violation of Iran's sovereignty, and a raging buzz about targeting crude oil reserves and even nuclear sites.

"Regardless of the motivations, one thing is clear: The consequences of these strikes have been devastating. For all those giving the Netanyahu doctrine a gold star for deliberate precise strikes, leaving open the room for de-escalation, might do well to remember that he is on a mission to obliterate Gaza, send a clear message with colonial violence throughout the region and raze down anyone who attempts to intervene.

"The question on everyone's mind is: What will happen next? Answers, however, remain elusive as both nations offer conflicting narratives and justifications for their actions. It does not require defense expertise to see that the Middle East is standing at a crossroads, with the potential for peace slipping further out of reach.

"The international community must come together to broker a ceasefire, which can only succeed if the Western lobby holds Israel accountable for its war crimes. Any other alternative is too grim to contemplate, with the spectre of unprecedented bloodshed looming large over us all."

Following are excerpts from The News editorial:[2]

"Such 'Limited' Actions Are Anything But Benign; Escalation Remains Escalation, And The Potential For Further Consequences Is Ominously Present"

"Israel's recent strike on Iranian military targets has been framed as a limited retaliation, echoing Iran's restrained response after the bombing of its Damascus embassy. However, such 'limited' actions are anything but benign; escalation remains escalation, and the potential for further consequences is ominously present.

"It's evident this attack was coordinated with Israel's key allies, the U.S. and UK; and Iran managed to mitigate its impact by intercepting part of the assault, seemingly giving all sides a face-saving moment. Still, the real fallout may only reveal itself in the coming days.

"Iran's pledge to respond leaves the region – and beyond – waiting to see what that will entail. The dangerous pattern that has emerged in recent years shows Israel's continued provocations aimed at pushing Iran into a response severe enough to draw the U.S. into outright conflict. This aligns all too closely with Israel's strategy to work toward its so-called 'Greater Israel' vision, one that extends beyond its current borders and involves persistent regional destabilization."

Following are excerpts from the Dawn editorial:[3]

"Iran's Arab Neighbors Have Condemned The Attacks, As Has Pakistan, With The Foreign Office Saying, 'Israel Bears Full Responsibility For The Current Cycle Of Escalation'"

"Iran has downplayed Israel's aggression, saying it caused 'limited damage,' with reportedly four Iranian troops killed. It appears that the warmongers in Tel Aviv have listened to American calls to avoid hitting Iranian oil and nuclear facilities; an attack on such installations would have had horrific consequences for the entire region.

"Yet this does not take away from the fact that Israel indulged in a highly condemnable act of violating another country's sovereignty – sadly, it has been displaying such behavior for decades. The attack, unlike previous ones, has been acknowledged by Israel, and was meant as retribution for Iran's missile barrage targeting the Zionist state on Oct 2. That Iranian action had been triggered by the killings of Ismail Haniyeh and Hassan Nasrallah, as well as the Israeli invasion of Lebanon.

"The Israeli aggression has been followed by global calls for de-escalation. The U.S. and UK have sanctimoniously lectured Iran not to target Israel further. Iran's Arab neighbors have condemned the attacks, as has Pakistan, with the Foreign Office saying, 'Israel bears full responsibility for the current cycle of escalation.' The Pentagon has also reaffirmed America's 'ironclad' commitment to Israel's security."

"The U.S. And UK, Have Justified Their Ally's Atrocities By Saying That Israel Has A Right To Self-Defense; By That Logic, Iran, Lebanon, Syria And Yemen Also Have A Right To Defend Themselves From Israeli Aggression"

"Yet Iran feels that it cannot leave its allies in the 'Axis of Resistance' alone at a time when they are confronting Israel. Moreover, it should be remembered that Israel has been killing Iranian generals and scientists long before the Hamas operations last year [on October 7, 2023].

"And the Iranian missile strikes targeting Israel in mid-April – the first time Tehran directly hit Israel – were prompted by the devastating bombing of an Iranian diplomatic facility in Damascus, widely believed to be the handiwork of Israel.

Iranian missiles headed for targets in Jerusalem

"The next phase of this geopolitical tussle will depend on the Iranian reaction to the Israeli provocation. Tehran's foreign ministry has issued an ambiguous statement, observing that while the Islamic Republic wanted 'regional peace,' the country was 'entitled ... to defend itself.' Israel's Western friends, primarily the U.S. and UK, have justified their ally's atrocities by saying that Israel has a right to self-defense.

"By that logic, Iran, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen also have a right to defend themselves from Israeli aggression. Most importantly, the Palestinian people have a right not to be slaughtered by Israel. If the global community is serious about de-escalation in the region, it must call for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, and an end to Israel's aggression in Lebanon. Without this, the regional war underway will only intensify."

Following are excerpts from The Tribune editorial:[4]

"The Fact That The Israeli Airstrikes Spared Nuclear And Oil Facilities Of Iran Is A Welcome Development; It Seems Israel Had Restricted Itself On The Advice Of Washington"

"A tit-for-tat in the Middle East is leading to an unprecedented escalation in the conflict between Iran and Israel. Tel Aviv for the first time in... [its] existence mustered courage to directly attack military sites inside the Islamic Republic, leaving behind the revolutionary regime in shock and awe.

"While Tehran has played down the impact of the attack on at least three cities and said that casualties are in single digit with little damage to installations, the fireball of response is likely to aggravate the crisis. A retaliatory action from the Jewish state was imminent, as it has in principle decided to take on all of its adversaries after its daredevil successes in eliminating Hezbollah and Hamas leadership as well as the obliteration of Gaza and military intrusion in Lebanon.

"The consolation at this point of time is that both Israel and Iran are holding back from taking on each other in a vicious circle of war-mongering, and this is where astute diplomacy can make a difference. The fact that the Israeli airstrikes spared nuclear and oil facilities of Iran is a welcome development."

"Post-October 26 Missile Strikes From Israel, Iran Is Unlikely To Keep Its Cool And Will Cross The Nuclear Rubicon In A Bizarre Attempt To Restore Détente In The Region"

"It seems Israel had restricted itself on the advice of Washington not to conflagrate the issue and provide an opportunity for the Arab and Muslim states to rally for the Islamic Republic. It could have also triggered a snowball reaction of economic decimation across the region forcing the Gulf States to make a moral and strategic choice of standing either with the U.S. or Iran.

"But what seems certain is that post-October 26 missile strikes from Israel, Iran is unlikely to keep its cool and will cross the nuclear Rubicon in a bizarre attempt to restore détente in the region. With more strikes from Israel likely as it wants to nail down the Axis of Resistance in the region, the role of Iran and its proxies will take a centre-stage.

"If Europe and the U.S. continue to exhibit their partisanship for the Zionist state, their interests worldwide could be under fire. The escalating situation calls for a rational approach and the minimum is to address the dispute of Palestine, and let Iran and Israel abide by the international conventions of serenity."