Ordinary people in Iran are becoming nationalists to defend their country in the illegal war and destruction launched by the U.S. and Israel, said Bobby Naderi, a current affairs commentator based in London on Tuesday.
Naderi said Iran has a stable political system due to its unique history, and Iranians are becoming more united during the war.
"Iran is an old civilization. So it doesn't depend on just one person or one group. If you kill one or two or three leaders consecutively, somebody else is going to replace them. So that's precisely what Iran is doing now. Iran is not going to surrender. So when it comes to illegal wars and destruction, that's exactly what Iranians are going to become: They will become nationalists. And that's exactly what they are trying to become."
Since the U.S. and Israel strikes are not limited against Iran's military or energy targets, ordinary civilians are paying great price in the war, he said.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that he had ordered the military to delay strikes on Iranian power plants and energy facilities for five days after what he called "productive" talks with Iran.
"Yes, Trump stopped hitting Iran's energy infrastructure. Why? Because they got the idea that if that is the case, then they cannot claim that they are just hitting the energy infrastructure, they are also hitting the civilian infrastructure that doesn't belong to the government or the Islamic republic. It belongs to the people. And if that happens, the whole story of regime change (for the Iranian people) is going to collapse," said Naderi. The U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict entered its 25th day on Tuesday, as Washington and Tehran offered conflicting accounts over whether peace talks are underway.
The United States has sent Iran a 15-point peace plan, via Pakistan, in an attempt to end the war with Iran, The New York Times reported on Tuesday, citing two unidentified officials.
However, it was unclear how widely the plan had been shared among Iranian officials and whether Iran was likely to accept it as a basis for negotiations, said the report.
Iranians become nationalists against illegal wars, destruction: commentator
After a nearly-four-day journey from Mexico, the first boat of a humanitarian flotilla to Cuba docked at a harbor in Havana, the capital city of Cuba, on Tuesday.
This marked the arrival of the second group of the “Nuestra America” or “Our America” convoy, an international humanitarian effort aimed at assisting Cubans struggling with a severe economic and energy crisis due to U.S. sanctions.
On board, around 30 activists waved flags and banners reading "Let Cuba Live!" They brought with them medicines, solar panels, food and other essential items.
The humanitarian movement includes unionists, doctors, parliamentarians and friends of Cuba from over 30 other countries. It began last week with air shipments carrying approximately 50 tons of aid.
"It is remarkable. I mean it is the least we can do. I'm from the United States and my government is imposing this cruel, illegal policy. But the people, like the Cuban people, they want to survive, they want to do more than survive, they want to thrive," said a convoy activist.
"For me inside, it's a great honor to be here. We are just representing hundreds and millions of hearts and solidarity movements and people from around the world, Latin America, [including] Addy Ayala, that bring to us and to Cuba this aid," said another convoy activist.
This international action comes as Cubans face a severe energy crisis, along with shortages of basic food, medicines and services exacerbated by the U.S. sanctions.
Activists, including well-known politicians, have visited several hospitals and healthcare centers where they delivered donations of medicine, including drugs for cancer patients.
"We have arrived with our own suitcases full, even the people from my office have brought 60 kilos of medical equipment to Cuba, and we've got lots, lots more coming by sea later on, so we are trying to break the blockade in that way," said Jeremy Corbyn, a British politician.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and other officials welcomed the first activists who arrived in Cuba by air last week at a gathering at Havana's Convention Center.
"This convoy, 'Nuestra America', has special meaning for us because they are our brothers and sisters bringing us part of what they've got, depriving themselves of certain things only to support Cuba," said Argelio Abad, Cuba's First Deputy Energy Minister in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN).
Many activists have also taken time to meet and engage with the Cuban people at cultural and recreational centers.
The activists have pledged that, in the face of tough times, Cubans can always count on their support, and also pledged their commitment to stand with Cuba.
More humanitarian aid arrives as Cuba struggles under weight of U.S.-imposed energy blockade
