The Labour Party (EMEP) from Turkey and the Communist Liberation organisation from Greece issued a joint statement condemning the imperialist attacks by the US and Israel against Iran. Stating that “the governments of Turkey and Greece are trying to exploit this war to maximise their spheres of influence and guarantee new markets for their capitalists,” the statement pointed out that developments increase the risk of a new conflict between these two countries. It noted: “Therefore, we must reject any assistance to the US and Israel from either country and demand an immediate end to direct or indirect involvement in this war.”

‘The latest expression of the plan to reshape the Middle East’

“The new military attack by the US and Israel against Iran demonstrates the brutality of US imperialism, which is the main source of war, instability, and danger to world peace. The ongoing war is a continuation of the attack carried out by the same two countries last June,” the statement said, noting that the accusations directed at Iran are a smokescreen used to justify war policies, as was the case in Iraq in the past. The expression “Now they have dropped their masks and are openly calling for regime change” was used.

While underlining that the attacks are another expression of the plan to reshape the Middle East in favour of the US and Israel and against the peoples of the region, it was stated: “This is another link in the same chain that includes the genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, the ongoing annexation of occupied territories in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and military attacks against Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen.”

‘Priority is to stop US-Israeli imperialist aggression’

Emphasising that the US’s aggressive policy towards Iran and other countries should be evaluated in the context of deepening imperialist and capitalist contradictions, the statement noted that this policy is another expression of the increasing actions of the US against peoples in various regions of the world, especially in the Middle East and Latin America, recalling that “Trump has stated that the next target is Cuba.”

The statement said: “Therefore, we recognise Iran’s right to self-defence. Without denying the reactionary nature of the ‘mullahs’, it is primarily necessary to condemn and stop US-Israeli imperialist aggression.”

‘Danger of a new conflict between the two countries’

The statement also mentioned that developments are being used by the Turkish and Greek governments “to maximise their spheres of influence and guarantee new markets for their capitalists,” adding: “Therefore, Athens is trying to exploit this momentum and position itself deep in the Southeast Mediterranean by sending strong military forces around Cyprus.” It was stated that Ankara has also sent reinforcements to the north and is “trying to increase its sphere of influence both politically and militarily in the Middle East and the Mediterranean.”

The statement continued as follows: “When evaluated in the context of the intense rivalry between the Greek and Turkish bourgeoisies, these actions increase the danger of a new conflict between the two countries. Therefore, we must reject any assistance to the US and Israel from either country and demand an immediate end to direct or indirect involvement in this war.

We must be firm in our demands: an end to aggression against Iran, recognition of the sovereignty of all countries, support for peoples struggling against imperialist interventions and all forms of oppression, and the dissolution of NATO. This is the only way to ensure a lasting peace in our region. People's peace against capitalists' wars!”