Sharma: Iran war objectives met despite ceasefire concerns

Many of the military objectives of the Iran war have been met, with the Islamic Republic’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs “significantly set back,” Senator Dave Sharma says.

In an interview with The AJN, Sharma – who is Shadow Assistant Minister for International Development as well as Shadow Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs – said Iran’s ability to export terrorism had been “drastically diminished” despite concerns within Israel that goals stated at the start of the war had not been achieved.

“I think Iran’s ability to export terrorism, foment instability and ignite conflict in the region has been drastically diminished, and that, in and of itself, is a good thing,” Sharma said following Tuesday’s ceasefire announcement by US President Donald Trump.

The former Member for Wentworth said the war had accelerated convergence between Gulf states, Israel and moderate Arab states against Iran, which was now “much more isolated”.

“Iran has basically created enemies of the Gulf states who were previously keeping a relationship with them open and trying to walk both sides of the street,” Sharma said. “That change in regional configuration will be a positive force, and it gives some of those Gulf state leaders more legitimacy with their people to move closer to Israel.”