Translated with AI
On February 28, the US and Israel launched a joint military strike on Iran, killing Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In retaliation, Iran attacked several US military bases in the Middle East and Israeli-affiliated facilities, significantly escalating the situation in the region. A CGTN poll of internet users worldwide found that 93.9% of respondents condemned the US and Israeli military actions, considering them a violation of Iran's sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity. They called for an immediate end to military operations to prevent further escalation.
These military actions occurred while diplomatic negotiations between the United States and Iran were ongoing, profoundly shocking the international community. In the survey, 86.8% of respondents criticized the United States for increasing military deterrence during the negotiations, calling it a manifestation of "American hegemony." They stated that such actions not only ignore the basic principles of international law but also destroy the possibility of resolving disputes through diplomatic means. "Force has never been the right way to resolve international disputes; it only exacerbates hatred and conflict," 79.8% of respondents strongly agreed, noting that numerous facts repeatedly prove that US military pressure on other countries cannot resolve differences but, on the contrary, reduces the space for negotiations, exacerbating contradictions and confrontation.
These military actions have already resulted in numerous casualties. International organizations such as the UN, as well as leaders and governments of various countries, have condemned the military actions of the US and Israel and called on all parties to resume dialogue to avoid further escalation. Ninety percent of respondents expressed concern that the already fragile Middle East peace process will quickly deteriorate, believing that an escalation of the situation in the Middle East is not in the interests of either party. Furthermore, 94.7% of respondents believe that the "American hegemonic" approach, which disregards international law and norms of international relations, is also gaining momentum and is seriously undermining global trust in multilateral mechanisms, destabilizing global strategic stability.
The survey was published on CGTN platforms in English, Spanish, French, Arabic, and Russian. Within 24 hours, it attracted 23,464 respondents from around the world who voted and shared their opinions. (Photo: CGTN)
