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President Donald Trump’s threat against Iran on Tuesday has sparked reactions from two Iranian athletes.
Trump wrote on Truth Social, “An entire civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again,” referring to Iran amid his threats to target the country’s power plants and bridges.
Former Iranian youth wrestling champion Sardar Pashaei, who now lives in the United States, responded to Trump’s threat in a statement to Pakinomist Digital.
“The Iranian regime still has a chance — and all the necessary means — to stop victimizing its own people and bring an end to this 47-year catastrophe. It has had many options in the past. Instead, it chose repression at home and conflict abroad. Today, the regime is effectively holding the Iranian people hostage, placing civilians at risk while claiming to act in their interests,” Pashai said.
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“For decades it has destroyed Iran’s natural resources, built tunnels deep into the mountains for missiles, and spent the country’s wealth on drones and war – not on the welfare of its people. Above all, we must be clear: The Iranian people must never be the target of pressure or punishment. They have already suffered for decades under this regime.
“Responsibility for this crisis lies with the clerical establishment and the IRGC. For decades, cries of ‘Death to America’ and ‘Death to Israel’ have been fueled by the regime – not by the Iranian people, who have instead sought dignity, opportunity and a normal life, yet have never been given a real choice through free and fair elections at home, and the regime has already lost on the global stage. much more suffering will it inflict before it finally steps up side.”
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Iranian competitive climber Elnaz Rakabi, who won bronze at the 2021 IFSC Climbing World Championship, shared a different perspective in a statement to Pakinomist Digital.
“As an Iranian athlete, I cannot remain silent when language is used that speaks of the destruction of a nation as if millions of innocent lives are at stake. Any statement that suggests the collapse or destruction of Iran without acknowledging the human cost is deeply dangerous. Iran is not just a regime. Iran is a people, a history, a civilization that has already endured decades of oppression, civilization and oppression of millions of people, and decades of suffering of millions of people,” said Rakabi.
“At the same time, the world must not ignore the truth that the Islamic Republic has spent decades oppressing its own people, crushing peaceful protests and investing the country’s wealth in ideology, militarization and nuclear ambitions rather than the welfare of its citizens.
“The people of Iran have repeatedly taken to the streets to demand freedom, dignity, justice and the right to live a normal life, only to be met with bullets, prisons, executions and fear. The Iranian people are not asking for violence. They are not asking for war. They are asking to be heard. They are asking for their country’s resources to be spent on life, not destroying and ruining life. To determine their own future.
“This is why the destruction of a nation can never be the answer. The people of Iran are not collateral damage. They are not bargaining chips in political rhetoric or international conflict. They are human beings. A peaceful and democratic change in Iran would serve not only the Iranian people, but also the cause of human rights, regional stability and global peace. So I ask: Is it really that difficult for those who care about peace, above human interest, above human interest. and innocent lives over yet another cycle of violence?”
Trump has given Iran until 8 p.m. ET Tuesday to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face attacks against its power plants and bridges. Amir-Saeid Iravani, Iran’s permanent representative to the UN, has responded, rejecting a temporary ceasefire proposal and promising “mutual measures”.
“Iran will not stand quietly in the face of such egregious war crimes,” Iravani said. “It will exercise its inherent right of self-defense without hesitation and will take immediate and proportionate reciprocal measures.”
Iran has reportedly threatened to attack energy facilities in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
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Tehran will add Saudi Aramco oil facilities as well as Yanbu and the UAE’s Fujairah pipeline to its target list if Trump follows through on his threats to attack Iran’s energy infrastructure, Iran International reported.
The threats from Iran were first reported by the IRGC-affiliated Tasnim news agency, citing a military source.
