Letters to The Editor — March 3, 2026

Unjustifiable aggression

The Israel-United States war against Iran defies logic and is wholly indefensible. Only if the International Atomic Energy Agency had verified U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that Iran was close to developing nuclear weapons could the conflict even be remotely justified. The helplessness of the United Nations and the silence of world leaders on this aggression will only embolden Mr. Trump and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Front page, “Iran hits Israel, U.S. bases after killing of Khamenei”, March 2). Even Russian President Vladimir Putin’s criticisms carry little weight, given his own record of unjustified wars. Must we console ourselves by claiming that economic might alone makes right?

Shriram Y.K.,

Bengaluru

At a time when the world speaks of peace and human welfare, we are witnessing a devastating war. At its heart, this is a human tragedy and the loss of innocent lives should concern us all.

Reports that children were killed in a school bombing must stir our conscience. Yet, while many nations express concern, there has been no firm condemnation or real commitment to protecting civilians. Public discussion remains fixated on military strategy — drones, missiles, and tactics — while the human cost is sidelined. Such a mindset will never advance world peace. Whatever the claims and counterclaims, we would do well to remember Nobel Peace Prize winner Ralph Bunche who said, “There are no warlike people, just warlike leaders.” Bunche, incidentally, received the 1950 Nobel Peace Prize for “his late 1940s work as a United Nations mediator in the Palestine conflict”.

V. Nagarajan,

Chennai