Iran-Israel Ceasefire Collapse and Global Media Dynamics

The US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Iran is a "self-imposed" illusion, according to Dr. Oscar van Heerden, Dr Oscar van Heerden, senior research fellow at the Center for African Diplomacy and Leadership at the University of Johannesburg, who argues that Iran was never consulted.

"Trump just announces things and assumes everyone else will go with him... Iran immediately said there’s no such [ceasefire]. They were not consulted," van Heerden states, accusing Washington of duplicity.

He highlights Israel’s failed attempts to weaken Iran through covert strikes, prompting US involvement.

"The Israelis [...] genuinely thought they could neutralize the Iranians... When that did not happen and they took a pounding, they called on Big Brother, the United States," Van Heerden explains.

The academic also criticizes Western media bias, noting the double standards in coverage.

"Have you ever heard the BBC or CNN talk about the open assassination of Donald Trump or Keir Starmer," he ironizes.

JCPOA’s Collapse and the Path to War

Gabriel Galice, President of the Geneva International Peace Research Institute, traced current tensions to the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA).

"On May 8, 2018, under pressure from the Israeli lobby... Trump announced the United States' withdrawal from the Vienna agreement without consulting anyone," Galice said, calling it a "clear example of unilateralism."

He condemned Western hypocrisy, particularly Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz describing Israel’s actions as "doing the dirty work for everyone."

"This so-called ‘dirty work’ is a clear violation of international law," Galice argued.

Global South Media and ASBU’s Role

In a separate discussion, Abdulrahim Suleiman, General Director of the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU), emphasized media collaboration in the Global South.

"We are very pleased to have Sputnik [at] our festival... Russia is a very important, big player in the world," Suleiman said, highlighting ASBU’s efforts to promote independent news exchange and cultural programming.

He also addressed challenges in children’s content.

"The majority of programs are coming from abroad [...] culturally and religiously, it is not suitable for our kids," Suleiman concludes.

To hear more expertise on the Israel-Iran conflict or explore innovation in media of the Global South, listen to the full episode of AfroVerdict, brought to you by Sputnik Africa.

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