Trita Parsi is executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. Most recently he has sounded an alarm on the crisis unfolding in Gaza during a recent episode of Al Jazeera’s “The Bottom Line.” He particularly emphasized the role U.S. President Donald Trump might play in changing Israel’s course. He hoped that U.S. intervention would finally bring an end to the week-long hostilities.
Parsi, a leading expert on Iran and its geopolitical ramifications, laid out the consequences from Israel’s now 12-day military offensive in Gaza. To that end, he emphasized the humanitarian impact on the entire region. He took European leaders to task on their legitimization of U.S. and Israeli military offensives. Parsi condemned this position, arguing that it betrays the values of a supposed “rules-based order.” He made the case that these principles should be applied at all times, including during crises such as today’s conflict in Ukraine.
In his written testimony, Parsi made clear the importance of international diplomacy and the impact it is having on isolating Iran from global affairs. NPQ’s Mushtaq highlighted that how the conflict in Gaza ends will play a key role in shifting the alliances of Iran’s adversaries. Third, it will further damage Iran’s relationships with most regional actors. Parsi noted that understanding these connections is crucial for comprehending the broader implications of sanctions relief and diplomatic engagements with Iran.
To Parsi, the potential for sanctions relief represented a silver lining. He argues that this would bring both stability to Gaza, as well as improving relations with Iran. His perspective illustrates a nuanced understanding of Iran-U.S. relations, especially in light of the ongoing tensions exacerbated by military actions in the Middle East.
His comments point to a growing concern among experts. They are deeply concerned about the growing humanitarian consequences of protracted conflicts and the critical role international diplomacy has on addressing these conflicts. He calls for a critical review of U.S. policy towards Israel and its conduct in Gaza. This amplifies the call for a new approach to Middle Eastern geopolitics, one that recognizes multilateralism.
