oday, August 9, 2025, marks the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki (August 9, 1945). On August 6 and 9, 1945, under President Harry Truman, the United States dropped nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing over 200,000 civilians and turning these cities to ashes. These attacks, the only operational use of nuclear weapons in history, were justified as a means to "accelerate the end of World War II."
General Dwight Eisenhower later expressed deep regret in his memoirs about the Truman administration's decision to bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki to force Japan's surrender, deeming it "entirely unnecessary." This attack, which constitutes a blatant violation of international war laws, marked a turning point in the policy of "peace through power"—a peace achieved through destruction and intimidation.
The true aim was to solidify U.S. hegemony in the post-war global order and intimidate geopolitical rivals such as the Soviet Union. Survivors of this catastrophe, known as hibakusha, continue to suffer from the effects of radiation, cancers, and birth defects that persist for generations, while the U.S. government has refused to provide any compensation to them.
The U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were not only a humanitarian disaster but also acted as a catalyst for a global nuclear arms race. This action not only showcased the devastating destructive power of nuclear weapons but also prompted other countries to develop nuclear arsenals for deterrence against U.S. threats. During the Cold War, in response to America's nuclear monopoly, the Soviet Union expanded its nuclear weapons program.
This pattern continued, as North Korea developed its nuclear program as a defensive shield following the Korean War (1950-1953) and the devastating U.S. bombings that destroyed 20% of its population. In 2011, Libya, which NATO attacked led by the U.S. after abandoning its weapons program, reinforced the idea that nuclear deterrence could be the only means of defense against Western aggression. America's aggressive policies, instead of reducing nuclear proliferation, fueled its expansion.
During the 12-day war in Iran, Israel's aggression against Iran, targeting the country's nuclear facilities with U.S. support under the pretext of "preventing Iran from becoming a nuclear threat," occurred despite the absence of any credible evidence of military dimensions, as confirmed by the report on the "NPT Safeguards Agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran." In contrast, Israel's nuclear arsenal, which includes hundreds of warheads, remains outside any international oversight.
Eighty years after the nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the United States continues to cite nuclear threats from other countries to reinforce the prevailing global order, sending a clear message: the policy of peace through domination persists.
Written by: Sara Archin
Zohre Khazaee - ahmad shirzadian
