New York forum: ‘War on Iran?’

The American-Iranian Friendship Committee and the International Action Center hosted a forum in New York on Feb. 14 that raised the question, Is Iran the threat or is the U.S. threatening Iran? As the Bush administration and the Pentagon intensify their military provocations, the forum explored the real reasons why U.S. imperialism is targeting this oil-rich country and showed that Iran’s right to develop nuclear technology and energy is not a real threat.

Speakers included Sara Flounders, Ardeshir Ommani, Ellie Ommani and Daniel Strum (shown here left to right). Iranian activist Ardeshir Ommani gave the main presentation. Ommani, a co-founder of the AIFC, gave a moving account of Iran’s economic transition from an oppressed colony terribly exploited by British Petroleum to a developing, independent country attempting to defend its sovereignty.

Ellie Ommani of the WESPAC Foundation and AIFC spoke on the gains made by Iranian women since the 1979 revolution. Strum, from the Fellowship of Reconciliation, provided some stunning video footage of a recent trip a U.S. delegation made to Iran.

IAC co-director Flounders, who chaired the forum, announced an important campaign called “International Campaign to STOP the War on Iran before it starts.” Go to StopWarOnIran.org for more information.

—Story and photo by Monica Moorehead