Criticises Trump’s remarks, raises questions on war objectives, other claims
Irfan Yattoo
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the United States must exert greater control over Israel to ensure the success of the ceasefire with Iran, warning that continued military actions risk derailing the fragile truce.
Addressing reporters in Srinagar, CM Omar referred to ongoing Israeli strikes in Lebanon and said such actions were incompatible with sustaining peace.
“The US should exert some control over Israel. The way they are conducting indiscriminate bombing campaigns in Lebanon and the manner in which innocent lives are being taken there, how can a ceasefire possibly hold?” he said.
CM Omar said that ceasefire as a welcome step and cautioned that its failure would rest squarely on Israel.
“If the ceasefire fails, the blame will be solely on Israel. It will not be the fault of Iran or anyone else. So, the US should exert some restraint over Israel,” he added.
On Trump’s recent remarks warning of consequences if talks with Iran fail, CM Omar said the US President’s statements appeared inconsistent.
“Perhaps the US President himself doesn’t know what he is doing. He says one thing in the morning, another in the afternoon and a third in the evening. The language that he uses is unbecoming of anyone, let alone the US President. He ought to remind himself that he holds the office of the US President,” he said.
CM added that similar language on social media by others would invite action.
“If anyone else uses such language, they would be blocked and their accounts seized. But because he is the US President, people fear him and there is no action against him,” he said.
Questioning the rationale behind repeated threats, Abdullah said the origins and objectives of the conflict remain unclear.
“It was not Iran that initiated this war. The war was thrust upon Iran. First, tell us what was the actual objective of this war?” he said.
Referring to US claims of strategic gains, including the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, CM Omar said the waterway had never been closed.
“After the ceasefire, the US has claimed a monumental victory, citing the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. But the Strait was already open prior to the war and it was accessible to everyone, free of charge,” he said.
CM Omar added that the situation may have worsened after the conflict.
“Now, Iran has seized the opportunity to declare that a toll tax must be paid for passing through the Strait. So, what exactly has been achieved?” he asked.
CM Omar also urged the US to create conditions conducive to sustaining the ceasefire rather than issuing repeated warnings.
On Pakistan’s role in facilitating talks, he said Islamabad had succeeded where others could not.
“I won’t go into whether it was a failure or a success, but we have to accept that Pakistan did what others couldn’t,” he said.
Responding to criticism from the Congress that Pakistan’s mediation reflected a failure of India’s foreign policy, CM Omar said India’s close ties with Israel may have limited its diplomatic space.
“I personally believe that our relations with Israel have become a bit of a weakness. Because, as I said, only Israel wants this war,” he said.
“Perhaps if we weren’t so close to Israel, India could have done what Pakistan did, because we have good relations with both the US and Iran. I think, and this is my personal opinion, that we couldn’t play this role because our relations with Israel are too close,” he added.
CM Omar, however, maintained that the ceasefire itself was a positive development. “Now, the ceasefire that happened was good; if Pakistan played a role in it, then so be it,” Abdullah said.
Earlier on Tuesday, a ceasefire was announced by Donald Trump, who said he had agreed to a two-week truce with Iran based on a proposal put forward by Pakistan.
However, the arrangement has come under strain following alleged violations and renewed Israeli strikes targeting Lebanon.
