Iran’s fighting several wars as Lebanon and Gaza suffer

Ambulance destroyed in Israeli attack in southern Lebanon 

But neither America’s nor Israel’s leaders seem to care for the rules of war as they pursue their military and political goals. As one of President Donald Trump’s spokespersons made it clear as attacks against Iran began: “We are not fighting a politically correct war”

Iran gained much worldwide sympathy since the US and Israel began their ferocious and indiscriminate bombing raids on Iran, even killing schoolchildren. But Iran’s  brutal war against its own people continues unabated. 
While the Iranian Government has gained respect, if not sympathy, for the way it has stood up to massive bullying by the US and Israel, its own dark side is now conveniently sidelined.
Torture and execution of protesters has been regular under Iran’s rulers, no matter who held power in Tehran. But the tempo and ferocity of these abuses rose  after nationwide protests in January. Iran’s crackdowns on internal dissent is hardly new. In June 2025, Mojahed (Abbas) Khourkouri was executed after months of incarceration and torture for supporting the 2022 Woman Life Freedom Protests in Iran. Amnesty International called it a sham trial. But Iran’s authoritarian regime is now deeply troubled. Though it has managed to retaliate effectively against US and Israeli attacks, and contain the threat, it has serious internal dissent and security problems. Its response lies in arresting and executing more and more of its citizens on ‘anti-state activities’ charges, which may range from genuine protests to espionage.
In 2025, nearly 1000 people were executed in Iran, mostly for drug offenses or murder. But the number of people executed as spies too, has risen, and human rights groups charge that these executions were based on false charges and forced confessions. Among the latest victims is 19-year-old Iranian wrestling champion Saleh Mohammed, who was hanged publicly with two other young men despite protests by Amnesty International and the International Olympics Council (IOC). He was accused of killing a policeman during anti-government protests in January. The death sentence was upheld even though eyewitnesses confirmed that the wrestler was not at the scene of the murder.
With this high profile execution, Tehran has sent a chilling message to its people -- stepping in line and keeping quiet is more important than international sports medals. Protest, and no one will be spared.
Just how many Iranians resent the regime’s rigidity became clear when five members of the Iranian women’s national football team refused to sing the national anthem while touring Australia. They were labelled ‘traitors’ on Iranian state TV. Fearing persecution, the five players asked for political asylum.
Iran’s embattled regime is fighting three different wars – one of retaliation with missiles against US and Israeli bombing, another against internal dissent by sections of the population demanding more personal and political freedoms, and also against foreign intelligence infiltration, both by Israel (Mossad) and the US (the CIA). While this problem is real, many innocents too, seem to be getting caught in the dragnet. The mood in Tehran looks grim indeed.
Earlier this month, Iran’s intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib was killed in an Israeli airstrike. Concurrently, 500 individuals, including 250  so-called ‘high-value’ suspects, were arrested as spies. The most spectacular case in recent times was the arrest of Esmail Qaani, head of Iran’s elite Quds Force after an Israeli bomb killed Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, in Tehran on July 31, 2024. 

According to an X report, “Esmail Qaani, head of Iran’s Quds Force has been executed by IRGC. He has survived all assassination attempts so far and was even seen with Khamenei during US-Israel bombing but escaped. Earlier, he was taken into custody by the IRGC on suspicion of being a Mossad agent.” 
Qaani reportedly died during interrogation, but this has not been officially confirmed. The Qud’s Force which he led was Iran’s elite foreign operations unit which built, armed and co-ordinated the ‘Axis of Resistance’ across the Middle East. Lebanon’s Hizbollah was a key partner in this Axis. Israel now says it has been completely dismantled –  but its current invasion of Lebanon is aimed at wiping out any remnants left.
‘Medicide’ in Gaza 
and Lebanon
The human toll and suffering of all these games of political domination is staggering.  Overshadowed by the international economic fallout of the US-Israel vs.Iran clash, the great suffering caused by Israeli military operations in Lebanon and Gaza Strip has been largely overlooked by international media. Over 1000 Lebanese civilians have been killed, and hardly anyone except the hard-pressed international humanitarian agencies seem to care. A sinister aspect is what looks like the deliberate targeting of, or the callous disregard of,  medical workers, ambulances and hospitals. This of course has been going in ever since Israel invaded the Gaza Strip in late 2024, at least 1,722 healthcare workers have been killed, an average of more than two killed per day. Since March 2025, that toll has risen to average of three per day. That means losing 70 healthcare professionals every month. UN experts call it ‘medicide.’
In addition, Israel’s deliberate policy of drastically limiting food, water, medicine and other essentials to Gaza has taken a big toll. Videos show Palestinian teenagers pulling large rocks tied to their waists. This is  said to mitigate hunger pangs. While thousands of Palestinian patients wait, only a handful are allowed to cross the border at Rafa into Egypt for treatment. Even cancer patients aren’t allowed out. This can only be described as murder by other means.
The same deadly pattern is now repeated in South Lebanon as entire neighbourhoods are demolished under Israeli shelling and bombs. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, as of late March 2026, at least 40 health care workers have been killed and over 100 injured, and over 128 medical facilities and ambulances have been struck in south Lebanon. Reports indicate a “double-tap” strategy, where rescue teams are hit by a second strike after arriving to help to help victims of an initial attack.
The other damning aspect is the deliberate targeting of journalists. Statistics vary – but in Gaza, the United Nations has reported 242 Palestinian journalists killed by  August 11 2025. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has reported 192 journalists, including at least 184 Palestinians, killed as of August 10 2025, making this the deadliest war in history for journalists. But it is also clear that some of the deaths are not accidental but the result of deliberate targeting. Some have been killed at home along with family members including children. This is the most damning aspect of this war.
This callous policy seems to be now operating in Lebanon, too. Steve Sweeney, bureau chief in Lebanon for Russia’s RT TV channel, and his cameraman Ali Rida Sbeity,  had a narrow escape when an Israeli missile targeted them during a live broadcast. The video shows Sweeney diving for cover as he spots the approaching missile.
But neither America’s nor Israel’s leaders seem to care for the rules of war as they pursue their military and political goals. As one of President Donald Trump’s spokespersons made it clear as attacks against Iran began: “We are not fighting a politically correct war.”
Trump isn’t known for his political wisdom or humanity, but he showed his glaring lack of tact when he told visiting Japanese Premier Sanae Takaichi that he doesn’t need to tell Japan about surprise attacks after Pearl Harbour, referring to Japanese bombing of the US Pacific Fleet before war was declared. The Japanese premier was visibly embarrassed.