Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
18 June 2025 | 14:43 CAT
2-minute read

Image: BBC News

US President Donald Trump has declared “complete control” over Iranian airspace, demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender,” and urged the evacuation of Tehran—moves widely criticised for inflaming, rather than calming, a volatile Israel–Iran crisis.

At the G7 summit, while G7 leaders were urging restraint and pushing for a ceasefire, Trump’s hardline declarations marked a stark divergence—prompting fears that US alignment with Israel now sidelines diplomatic de‑escalation efforts.

Wits University lecturer Patrick Kadima labelled Trump’s statements “reckless,” warning that they risk fueling a regional conflagration rather than containing it.

“Such remarks undermine global efforts toward de-escalation and risk intensifying the conflict,” he told Radio Islam International.

Kadima unpacked Israel’s and Iran’s competing claims of military success, noting it’s too early to draw firm conclusions.

“This is normal conflict rhetoric…given the situation,” he said, but stressed the real danger lies in an unbridled escalation: “the continuous conflict between these two states will ultimately blow out into a regional conflict, if not de-escalated.”

He was equally incisive on international law’s imbalance: “Why is it that certain countries feel that they can be above the … international law system and act unilaterally without having any consequences?” With Israel enjoying nuclear capability while Iran remains under treaty constraints, Kadima cautioned, “These are truly the double standards in international law.”

Kadima further expressed concern over Trump’s domestic politics dictating foreign policy. He noted that the American public shows little appetite for war, and self-styled anti-war Republicans are at odds with Trump’s hawkish stance.

“Ordinary American folks…do not want to get involved.” Still, he warned, “What matters is what Trump and his advisors think is the best way to move forward.”

Meanwhile, humanitarian alarm bells are ringing. The Times and AP report Israeli strikes have targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities and state broadcasters, while Iran has retaliated with missile and drone attacks on Israeli cities. Hundreds of civilians have been killed, energy markets have wobbled, and cyberattacks are undermining financial infrastructure.

Kadima was clear, “We do not need another human catastrophe happening…to recover from that will take many, many years to come.”

Listen to the full interview on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat.