Iranian Student Coalition Denounces Islamic Republic's ‘Warmongering’
A group of student activists and student collectives from various universities in Iran have condemned the recent missile and drone attack on Israel.
A group of student activists and student collectives from various universities in Iran have condemned the recent missile and drone attack on Israel.
In a joint statement released earlier today, the student coalition denounced the Islamic Republic regime’s “warmongering” and stated: "...we, the people of Iran, are currently at war with the Islamic Republic, and we must overthrow the Islamic government and win the revolution of Woman, Life, Freedom."
The coalition is comprised of students from several universities in Esfahan, Tehran, Shiraz, Urumieh, Sanandaj, and Malayer.
Criticism is leveled at the government for its domestic repression and its support of its proxy Islamist groups in the region. Despite the regime's claim of military prowess, particularly in missile technology, the statement contends that such displays have become a subject of ridicule both domestically and internationally.
The students also call on the Iranian diaspora to urge “world governments to recognize the demands of the people of Iran” and “list the IRGC as a terrorist entity globally."
They further ask for a “boycott of the Islamic Republic from International forums" and “expulsion of ambassadors of the Islamic Republic worldwide".
Finally, the coalition asks for the international community to recognize the Islamic Republic as “a gender apartheid government where women are considered second class and queers (LGBTQIA+) have no right to live at all.”
In response to the escalating threat of conflict, the coalition calls for a unified push to advance the struggle against the regime in Iran. This includes a call to action for widespread protests, strikes, and demonstrations across all sectors of Iranian society.
Contradicting remarks by the Islamic Republic's armed forces chief, who claimed that the attack had achieved all of its objectives, IDF spokesperson Rear Adm Hagari who accompanied Iran International's reporter to the airbase stated that the facilities had sustained minimal damage. Video footage shows that there was minor damage to non-critical areas in the base, while F-35 warplanes were seen taking off.
Hagari explained that the only place that has suffered some damage to its infrastructure during Iran’s attack is this airbase which is “fully in operation”.
“The Islamic Republic is lying. All the money that Iran spent on this attack resulted only in this pit”, The IDF spokesman said, showing a cavity in the ground next to an unfinished concrete structure.
Iran launched hundreds of ballistic and cruise missiles as well as drones at Israel on Saturday. However, the Israeli Defense Forces confirmed that some 99% of the incoming projectiles were downed, and those that survived caused only minor damage.
As reported by the IDF, the Israeli Air Force successfully intercepted and destroyed 170 drones and 30 cruise missiles outside the country's borders.
Another factor contributing to the limited impact was that US, UK, French, and Jordanian jets flying over the region and downing Iranian drones and cruise missiles.
In addition, Arab nations such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates provided intelligence assistance to the defensive operation, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.
As this is the first time Iran has attacked Israel from its soil, the threat of a wider conflict in the region has been raised.
Until now, Israel has stated that the Iranian attack on its soil "will be met with a response", but has not provided further details. The Israeli war cabinet has made three times to decide about a potential response. Israel's Western allies have urged restraint, concerned about a further escalation in the region.
Israel Army Chief of Staff Gen. Halevi stated in a video statement that Iran will face the consequences of its actions. “We will choose our response accordingly."
