Berwarî: If Iran doesn’t democratize, it will lose the next century

2025-06-19 10:44:38


	 

	NEWS CENTER – Dr. Kamuran Berwarî, Deputy Chair of the Zakho Academy of Kurdish Politics and Democratic Thought, emphasized that the only path to salvation for Iran is the philosophy of "Jin, jiyan, azadî" (woman, life, freedom), and said: “If Iran does not initiate a new reconstruction process, it will lose the next century.”

	 

	Following Israel’s June 13 military campaign against Iran, it retaliated with missile strikes. According to Berwarî, these events go beyond a bilateral military conflict and reflect deep strategic intentions.

	 

	‘NOT JUST A STATE CONFLICT’

	 

	Berwarî explained that the escalating Israel-Iran conflict has evolved into “a multi-faceted siege policy targeting the peoples of the region.”  Berwarî said: “This has been turned into a war strategy by the U.S. and other Western powers. Countries drawn into this war will be forced to define their positions through this conflict.”

	 

	‘NEW FRONTS WILL OPEN’

	 

	Kurdistan is at the heart of this war, said Berwarî, pointing out that warplanes and missiles from both sides are traversing Kurdistan’s airspace. He warned: “Both Başur (South Kurdistan) and Rojhilat (East Kurdistan) face a serious threat.” 

	 

	He predicted the conflict could expand to include countries like Pakistan, India, China, and Russia, and noted: “The goal is to draw all Arab states, as well as Pakistan, Afghanistan, even China and Russia, into this war. New fronts will likely be opened.”

	 

	‘IRAN WAS BUSY WITH NUCLEAR TALKS’

	 

	Berwarî stated that Israel had been planning the attacks for a long time, while Iran was caught off guard: “Iran had no preparation. Its intelligence and military capabilities are weak. Iran was more focused on negotiations with the U.S. over nuclear arms than on anticipating an Israeli assault. Israel used its most advanced weaponry to inflict heavy damage on Iran.”

	 

	‘ISRAEL CAN'T SUSTAIN A PROLONGED WAR’

	 

	On international reactions, Berwarî said: “If global powers see a threat to their interests, they might intervene. But if the war serves their strategic goals, they won’t step in.”

	 

	Berwarî emphasised that Iran, with its population, holds the advantage over Israel: “If this war continues, Israel won’t be able to sustain it. You cannot keep your people in shelters 24/7. If the Iranian opposition adopts a strategic approach, it can achieve a lot.”

	 

	‘JIN, JIYAN, AZADÎ IS THE ONLY WAY OUT’

	 

	Berwarî said that the conflict offers an opportunity for societal transformation in Iran: “The regime could be changed, legal reforms introduced, and women’s rights upheld. All religious and ethnic groups must have their rights guaranteed.”

	 

	Referring to PJAK’s (Free Life Party of Kurdistan) recent statement supporting the jin, jiyan, azadî philosophy, he said: “This is Iran’s only path to salvation. A new democratic, confederal system must be built with the participation of Kurds, Balochs, Persians, and others. If Iran sticks to the old chauvinistic mindset of the last 45 years, it will lose the coming century.”

	 

	‘ÖCALAN’S PARADIGM IS THE SOLUTION’

	 

	Finally, Berwarî underlined the importance of Abdullah Öcalan’s paradigm as a historical solution to Middle Eastern crises.

	 

	“Leader Apo’s solution paradigm is a guarantee for peace. No force in the Middle East has been able to produce a solution while ignoring it,” said Berwarî and added: “The only things produced have been war, fear, occupation, and destruction. Öcalan’s democratic confederalism could offer Iran and other states, Syria, Iraq, Turkey, and Lebanon, a path to build democratic societies where all peoples live together. Without it, Iran risks fragmentation and could face a fate similar to Syria.”

	 

	MA / Zeynep Durgut