International Alliance in Support of Workers in Iran*
March 4, 2026
The International Alliance in Support of Workers in Iran (IASWI) is an independent, non-partisan campaign formed in 1999 to strengthen worker-to-worker solidarity in defense of workers’ rights and struggles in Iran. IASWI is volunteer run and not funded by any governments or corporations. It rejects imperialist economic sanctions and military interventions, and its positions are rooted in opposition to capitalist exploitation and the promotion of international working-class solidarity.
The following statement by the IASWI was issued in the wake of the bloody and horrific bombing attacks by Israel and the US. It declares, in clear and no uncertain terms: “This destructive war is not about liberating the Iranian people. On the contrary, it distorts, undermines, and destroys the very struggles for freedom, equality, workers’ rights, and social and economic justice in Iran.”
It is a bold and courageous commitment to resistance, struggle, and hope. It is a stinging rebuke to the opportunist and cliché-ridden endorsement by the Canadian government of Prime Minister Mark Carney for US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s joint military assault on Iran. The war is undertaken without reference to and in violation of the formal international procedures for military interventions through the United Nations bodies Canada says it adheres to.
The statement’s call for solidarity with the working peoples of Iran, in the face of these cynical attacks, is clear and inspiring. It makes the key point that the peoples’ resistance to the corrupt ‘clerical capitalism’ regime in no way endorses the war being unleashed on the Iranian state. And it rejects efforts to impose the would-be Shah, Reza Pahlavi, the son of the former deposed dictator and Shah. It reaffirms that the independence and legitimacy of the peoples’ resistance can’t be undermined by the efforts of Israel and the US to undermine it. It affirms: “The working class of Iran has been clear: neither bombs, nor economic sanctions, nor authoritarian rule will deliver equality and freedom. The path to liberation lies in the independent collective power of workers, women, students, and oppressed communities themselves.”
The IASWI calls on working-class people, socialists and others to show solidarity with the working people of Iran, in the clearest of terms. We condemn this illegal war on Iran and the abandonment of diplomatic talks, under pressure from the state of Israel and its allies in the American state. Already we see potential war crimes being committed in the killing of school children and the bombing of hospitals. These require immediate investigation.
The intervention by the US and Israel further spreads war and destruction across the Middle East, in pursuit of the expansionary and diplomatic objectives of Israel, with severe consequences for the region and the world. The impact on the world’s working people from the surge in energy costs, ever more funds for military spending, and the further squeeze of permanent austerity in social provisioning, is already hitting hard. It is necessary to insist that the Canadian government avoid any direct or indirect involvement in the conflict, pursue the resumption of diplomatic efforts, and to develop proposals for a nuclear weapons-free Middle East that include the thorough inspection and disarmament of Israel’s nuclear stockpile.
The International Alliance in Support of Workers in Iran (IASWI) condemns in the strongest terms the war launched on February 28, 2026 by the governments of the United States and Israel against the territory of Iran. Framed, among other lies, as a “preemptive strike” and “support for the Iranian people,” this aggression makes clear that civilian lives, safety, and democratic aspirations are not even the least concern of the Trump and Netanyahu regimes. Within the first hours of bombing, more than 150 elementary school girls in Minab, along with education workers, were killed, many more were injured, and hospitals and civilian neighborhoods were targeted in Tehran and other cities across the country.
This war is part of a broader regime-change agenda of the United States and Israel, carried out solely for their own strategic purposes and entirely disconnected from the aspirations of people in Iran for a better future. While claiming to support freedom in Iran, the Trump and Netanyahu governments have consistently sabotaged and endangered grassroots protests and independent social movements, imposed devastating economic sanctions, and promoted figures such as Reza Pahlavi, who has openly endorsed this war.
Back to the Shah?
Reza Pahlavi, the son of the deposed Shah of Iran, has issued statements saying: “My heart aches for the 3 American heroes killed and the 5 wounded by the regime. The Iranian people are forever in their debt. To their grieving families: please accept our immense love, deepest condolences, and eternal gratitude.” He has also shamefully said: “Iranians are grateful to Donald Trump for targeting the oppressive regime and providing an opportunity for freedom. Now is the time for strong and steady leadership to bring this historic opportunity to fruition.” Meanwhile, he has remained silent about the massacre of schoolchildren and other civilians.
This destructive war is not about liberating the Iranian people. On the contrary, it distorts, undermines, and destroys the very struggles for freedom, equality, workers’ rights, and social and economic justice in Iran.
Workers Oppose Imperialist Wars
Independent labour and grassroots organizations inside Iran – including teachers’ associations, bus workers, oil and petrochemical workers, steel workers, sugarcane workers, pensioners, and women’s and student organizations – have consistently opposed imperialist wars, militarism, as well as repression by the Iranian regime. Rooted in workplaces, schools, and communities, they have repeatedly warned that foreign military aggression and domestic authoritarian policies alike undermine their struggles for bread, freedom, gender equality, and democratic rights.
The working class of Iran has been clear: neither bombs, nor economic sanctions, nor authoritarian rule will deliver equality and freedom. The path to liberation lies in the independent collective power of workers, women, students, and oppressed communities themselves. We urge labour and socialist movements worldwide to continue supporting the Iranian working class in their organizing efforts against the capitalist and repressive policies of the Islamic Republic, which has imprisoned labour activists, crushed independent unions, massacred protesters, executed political prisoners, and imposed neoliberal and corrupt economic policies that have devastated working people.
We call on all workers, justice-seeking, and freedom-loving organizations and individuals to urgently demand:
- Immediate and unconditional ceasefire.
- A halt to all US and Israeli bombing and military operations, as well as retaliatory responses by Iranian military forces.
- Protection of civilians and full humanitarian access, including the immediate release of political prisoners whose lives are at grave risk.
We further urge workers, trade unions, socialists and progressive anti-war organizations, and activists internationally to center the grassroots voices and demands inside Iran by:
- Strengthening international solidarity against militarism, imperialism, capitalism, authoritarianism, and repression.
- Supporting the Iranian people’s struggles for freedom, equality, and self-determination without any interference from foreign governments.
The people of Iran and the region do not need bombs or warmongers – they need solidarity from workers and people of conscience around the world.
The US and Israel must Immediately stop bombing Iran!
No to war!
Ceasefire now!
Long live international solidarity! •
*The International Alliance in Support of Workers in Iran (IASWI) is an independent and progressive campaign in support of workers’ rights and struggles in Iran. Their website is workers-iran.org (temporarily unavailable) .
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