Iran is not Venezuela, and US President Donald Trump, who has introduced casino-like strategies into international relations, should be aware of the disastrous result of American interventions in the world – wrote the Spanish daily “El Pais” in an editorial on Saturday.
“The Iranian regime is not the Venezuelan regime. In (Venezuela's capital) Caracas, the American operation benefited from local assistance and later, for pragmatic reasons, left the Chavista structure intact in power. Iran is solidly based on a hierarchy that goes beyond individuals,” the newspaper noted.
As “El Pais” assessed, the record of American interventions in the world is “catastrophic”, and none of the countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, Libya and Syria “have seen something like democracy or a significant improvement in living conditions.”
The newspaper added that military actions in Iran do not guarantee reforms in the country or the fall of the regime, which as a result of the threat may lead to “even greater massacre” in the country and destabilization of relations in the entire region.
“Trump has transferred casino strategies to international relations. Alliances, consultations and international cooperation no longer count. His unpredictability and disregard for the potential consequences of his decisions are putting the world in an unprecedented state of uncertainty,” commented the daily.
El Pais noted that even Israel, “Iran's archenemy”, has taken a cautious stance towards the scenario of a large-scale attack.
“It should be remembered that Iranians are still fighting, virtually alone, against a ruthless dictatorship,” the daily recalled, calling on the international community to take action that goes beyond “ineffective declarations.”
They are necessary “to avoid the impression that the only person taking action is the one who despises international order and global security,” concluded the Spanish newspaper.
“Le Figaro”: Trump faces a choice: boldness or retreat
The French daily “Le Figaro” estimates on Saturday that if US President Donald Trump decides to implement threats against Iran, he must set achievable goals for a possible war. According to the newspaper, Trump faces the choice of “boldness or retreat.”
In its editorial, the daily notes that Trump has already become deeply involved in the confrontation with Iran and “withdrawing at this stage would damage his international reputation and credibility (in the arena – PAP).” According to “Le Figaro”, this would be a case similar to the “shameful precedent” regarding Syria in 2013. Then-US President Barack Obama set a red line on the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian authorities, but when it happened, the US decided not to intervene.
Wondering what could be an achievable goal in Iran, Le Figaro notes that Israel tried to destroy the US Iranian nuclear program in June 2025. The reduction in Iran's ballistic arsenal would likely only be temporary. According to the daily, it seems illusory that Iran would withdraw from its alliances. The goal “remains what the rebellious population (demonstrators in Iran – PAP) is calling for: helping to overthrow the tyrants' power by striking its critical points,” he says.
Le Figaro reminds that Trump's threats are mainly aimed at convincing Iranian leaders to strike a deal with the United States. The daily believes that the Iranian rulers declare their readiness to talk, but it is doubtful that they would agree to their own weakening “solely under the influence of intimidation.”
Trump said on Thursday that Iran must meet two demands to avoid an attack: abandon its nuclear weapons program and end its repression of anti-government protestors that broke out in the country at the end of December. The Wall Street Journal reported that the variants of a possible attack being considered include large-scale bombings of objects associated with the regime and attacks on targets of lesser importance, which would provide scope for intensifying bombings if Iran does not agree to end its nuclear program.
From Paris Anna Wróbel (PAP)
From Madrid Marcin Furdyna (PAP)
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