Attack on Iran: Ending the Battle Is the Main Priority

Published in Kobe Shimbun
(Japan) on 2 May 2026
by (link to originallink to original)
Translated from by Dorothy Phoenix. Edited by Phoebe Caval.
More than two months have passed since the U.S. and Israel launched their attack on Iran. Although the ceasefire agreement that was announced on April 8 is in effect, Iran is effectively blockading the Strait of Hormuz, and the opposing U.S. military is blocking Iran's ports. With a key energy transport hub closed off, and the impact on the world economy is growing increasingly severe as oil prices soar. This cannot be allowed to drag on any longer.

Iran has offered a new proposal to the U.S. that would open the Strait while continuing negotiations over its nuclear program. The U.S. claims that it will not accept an agreement without a definite promise that Iran will abandon its nuclear development programs, suggesting that attacks will resume. The rift between the two sides is deep, and a path to a permanent ceasefire remains elusive.

Last June, the U.S. and Israel conducted airstrikes on facilities related to Iran's nuclear weapon development. The latest attacks were also purported to be aimed at checking Iran's nuclear development and meant to force a regime change by killing Iran's supreme leader. However, abandoning nuclear development will likely require diplomatic efforts rather than military force, and it will be difficult to achieve that objective.

The U.S. should accept Iran's proposal and resume the navigation of goods through the Strait of Hormuz, while it should also coordinate with the International Atomic Energy Agency and other nations to hammer out a solution to the nuclear issue.

U.S. President Donald Trump continues to threaten Iran on social media using language like “No more Mr. Nice Guy,” but he is only inviting an even tougher stance from Iran. If the U.S. hastily resumes attacks to score military results, this war could become a quagmire and apill the blood of even more civilians. Reaching agreement on ending the conflict should be the main priority, and both sides must compromise.

A swift response to the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon is also essential. Even though a ceasefire agreement was reached, Israel continues to attack the bases of the Iran-backed militia organization Hezbollah. Many civilians have been caught up in the airstrikes and many refugees have fled to the outskirts of the capital city of Beirut as chaos ensues.

The international community must unite to press Israel for a ceasefire and put the brakes on Israel's settlement of Palestinian territories, a primary factor in the destabilization of the Middle East.

The attack on Iran commenced without a declaration of war or approval from Congress and has so far cost $25 billion. Based on the War Powers Resolution, which stipulates that by law, the troops must be removed within 60 days, Congress should put a stop to this administration's recklessness.

Pakistan, which maintains friendly relations with both nations, has served as a mediator between the U.S. and Iran. Even though Japan should also be in a position to carry out such a role, it must be said that its sense of presence in this situation has been weak.

The Japanese government should collaborate diplomatically with Europe and Asian nations and urge the U.S., Israel and Iran to quickly end the conflict and open the Strait of Hormuz.


<社説>イランへの攻撃/戦闘終結が最優先課題だ

米国とイスラエルがイランへの攻撃を開始してから2カ月が過ぎた。先月8日に発表された停戦合意は保たれているものの、イランによる事実上のホルムズ海峡封鎖と、対抗する米軍によるイラン港湾の封鎖は継続している。エネルギー輸送の要衝が閉ざされ、石油高騰などで世界経済への影響が深刻さを増す。これ以上、長期化させてはならない。

 イランは米国に対し、ホルムズ海峡を開放する一方、核開発に関する協議は結論を先延ばしして継続する新提案をしたとされる。米国は核開発放棄の確約がなければ受け入れられないと主張し、攻撃再開も示唆する。双方の溝は深く、恒久停戦への道筋は見いだせないままだ。

 米国とイスラエルは昨年6月、イランが核兵器を開発しているとして関連施設を空爆した。今回の攻撃も核開発阻止を掲げ、体制転換をもくろみ最高指導者を殺害した。だが核開発の断念は武力ではなく、外交努力を尽くさねば実現は難しい。

 米国はイランの提案を受け入れてホルムズ海峡の物流を再開させるとともに、核問題については国際原子力機関や関係国と連携しながら解決に当たるべきである。

 トランプ米大統領は「良い人でいるのはやめる」などとイランを威嚇するような発信を交流サイト(SNS)で続けているが、一層の態度硬化を招くだけだ。戦果を焦って攻撃を再開すれば戦闘が泥沼化し、さらに民間人の血を流すことになりかねない。戦闘終結の合意を最優先に、双方が歩み寄る必要がある。

 レバノンの人道危機にも速やかな対処が欠かせない。停戦合意には至ったが、イスラエルはレバノンに拠点を置く親イラン民兵組織ヒズボラへの攻撃を続けている。空爆で多くの民間人が巻き添えになっている上、大量の避難民が首都ベイルート近郊に逃れ、混乱を極めている。

 国際社会は結束してイスラエルに攻撃停止を迫るとともに、中東情勢の不安定化の要因であるパレスチナ自治区へのイスラエルの入植にも歯止めをかけることが重要だ。

 イランへの攻撃は米議会による宣戦布告や承認なしに始められ、4兆円もの戦費を費やしてきた。原則60日以内に撤収するよう求めた戦争権限法の規定に基づき、議会としても政権の暴走を止めるべきだ。

 米国とイランの交渉は両国と友好関係を持つパキスタンが仲介している。日本もこうした役割を果たすべき立ち位置にいるはずだが、存在感は乏しいと言わざるを得ない。

 日本政府は外交で欧州やアジア各国などと協力し、米国、イスラエルとイランに早期の戦闘終結と海峡開放を促してもらいたい。
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