The 21-hour-long failed US-Iran dialogue has shattered any hopes of peace returning to West Asia any time soon; rather it has complicated the crisis.
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The 21-hour-long failed US-Iran dialogue has shattered any hopes of peace returning to West Asia any time soon; rather it has complicated the crisis, with the US threatening to block the Strait of Hormuz and Iran vowing to respond appropriately. The development clearly signals higher tensions and uncertainties in the coming days, as Hormuz, the vital artery for global oil and gas supply, has become the bone of contention that has already strained the global energy market. The world heaved a sigh of relief after the warring countries announced a two-week ceasefire but it was short lived as the highly-anticipated peace talks failed with both the parties resorting to the blame game. Such a situation could be averted if the two sides had shown interest in addressing the root cause of the crisis. It is for the US to realise that it cannot pick and choose Iranian rulers. It is for the Iranian people to elect or select their own leaders. Any effort to influence the popular opinion of another country is nothing but an attempt to breach sovereignty. On the other hand, Iran should refrain from blocking the Strait of Hormuz, as it is affecting manycountries that have nothing to do with the ongoing war. The West Asian crisis can still be defused if the two countries, along with Israel, support these steps without indulging in rhetoric like 'annihilation of Iranian civilisation.'
As responsible nations, those involved in the West Asian conflict should give peace a chance to return. There is no place for imperialism in today's world, and this is why attacking nations at the slightest pretext should be avoided at any cost. Russia attacked Ukraine, unprovoked, more than four years ago and it remains to be unresolved to this day. The US and Israel have made a similar mistake, causing much distress to the world- socially and economically. These occurred when the world has not fully recovered from the jolt received from the COVID-19 pandemic. It is time for all nations involved in conflicts to recognise their folly and work towards restoring normalcy. They should seek amicable solutions through negotiations rather than resorting to bloodshed, keeping global interests at the forefront. War will never bring lasting solutions; it will only exacerbate suffering.