Where Have You Gone, Ambassadors of Peace?
Written by: Dr. Afzal Razvi (Australia)
The Middle East is once again engulfed in a shadow of blood, fear, and devastation. The ongoing military actions by the United States and Israel against Iran have plunged the region into renewed turmoil. The streets of Tehran, Mashhad, Isfahan, and Shiraz bear witness to scenes of smoke, fire, shattered homes, and human anguish. The images of relentless airstrikes, the deafening echoes of missiles, and the unfolding human tragedy compel every conscience to ask: Where are the ambassadors of peace?
The attacks on Iranian urban centres represent a grave violation of human rights, international law, and moral responsibility. In Tehran, children abandon their toys and seek refuge in shelters, their small hands trembling as they cling to their mothers amid explosions. Hospitals in Shiraz echo with the cries of the wounded, while in the villages of Isfahan, women and the elderly struggle with shortages of food and water. Schools and playgrounds lie in ruins, reduced to dust and silence, while displaced families endure sleepless nights under the shadow of fear.
The repercussions of this conflict extend far beyond Iran’s borders. Neighbouring countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates, remain on high alert. Energy infrastructures are threatened, and citizens live under constant anxiety. In Iraq, escalating tensions fuelled by regional dynamics have intensified insecurity, leaving the people of Baghdad gripped by uncertainty and unrest.
Equally troubling is the silence of major world powers. Countries such as Russia, China, France, and other European nations have thus far failed to take decisive and effective action. This global inaction risks becoming complicit in the suffering of innocent civilians, as silence begins to veil the reality of human loss.
The roots of this conflict lie in decades of political, military, and ideological discord. Since the Iranian Revolution of 1979, relations between Washington and Tehran have remained deeply strained. The United States and Israel perceive Iran’s nuclear ambitions, regional influence, and support for resistance movements in Palestine and Lebanon as significant threats. Israel, in particular, regards Iran as an existential danger and has repeatedly signalled its willingness to target Iranian nuclear facilities. While diplomatic efforts, such as the 2015 nuclear agreement, once offered hope, subsequent sanctions and policy reversals have only deepened hostilities.
Today, this confrontation has evolved into a broader regional crisis. Iran’s retaliatory actions, particularly against locations hosting American military bases, have intensified the conflict. Gulf states now find themselves directly exposed to the dangers of missile and drone strikes, further destabilizing the region and amplifying civilian suffering.
The impact on everyday life is profound. Fear, uncertainty, and insecurity have disrupted education, commerce, and travel. States of emergency have been declared in multiple areas, and expatriates are being forced to evacuate. Meanwhile, disruptions in oil production and supply chains have sent shockwaves through the global economy, raising the spectre of an energy crisis.
Perhaps most alarming is the potential for further escalation. Should military actions intensify, this conflict risks transforming into a full-scale regional war, potentially drawing in global powers and triggering far-reaching consequences for international security.
In all of this, it is the ordinary people who bear the greatest burden. Fundamental human needs, peace, livelihood, education, and healthcare, are rapidly deteriorating, giving rise to an expanding humanitarian crisis.
This moment demands urgent and meaningful intervention from the international community. The United Nations and other global institutions must move beyond statements and take concrete steps toward ceasefire, dialogue, and de-escalation. Without decisive action, the cycle of violence will continue to endanger not only the Middle East but the stability of the entire world.
History has repeatedly shown that war does not resolve conflicts; it multiplies them. If the United States, Israel, and Iran fail to exercise restraint, the flames of this conflict may engulf the entire region and extend far beyond it. The world stands in desperate need of wisdom, diplomacy, and moral courage.
The United Nations must ensure the protection of civilians. Regional actors must prioritize humanitarian relief. Global powers must adopt balanced and responsible policies that favour peace over power politics.
This conflict is no longer merely a geopolitical struggle, it has become a test of humanity, justice, and collective conscience. The lessons of history are clear: war breeds only destruction and sorrow. The path forward must be one of dialogue, justice, and peace.
It is in this context that the following poem raises a poignant and urgent question to the conscience of the world:
Poem: Where Are the Ambassadors of Peace?
Ambassadors of peace! where have you gone?
Ambassadors of peace! where have you gone?
Lost in silence! where do you belong?
In what deep slumber have you withdrawn?
Why is this earth drenched in blood?
Why is humanity burdened with pain?
That radiant voice of truth and light!!!
Why does it hide in shadows again?
Awaken now—rise like a soaring falcon!
Stand firm—be the voice of the faithful!
Teach the world the dignity of selfhood,
Become a living call to the truthful.
Ambassadors of peace! where have you gone?
Ambassadors of peace! where have you gone?
Lost in silence! where do you belong?
In what deep slumber have you withdrawn?
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