American journalist: Victory against Zionism and imperialist powers is near / Sense of satisfaction from Iran's attacks on the child-killing regime

Pars Today – An American freelance journalist and political activist described solidarity and resilience as the keys to the Iranian people's success against Zionism and imperialism.

Calla Walsh, an American freelance journalist and political activist, traveled to Tehran to participate in the Sobh International Media Festival. This report by Pars Today covers her interview with IRNA, published on Sunday. 

How did you learn about the war between Iran and the Israeli regime, and what was your initial reaction? 

I had been following developments long before Operation Al-Aqsa Storm. We are witnessing a genocide in Palestine that has lasted for 75 years. But what is more important is the incredible resistance that has formed against this genocide, the Zionist entity, and American imperialism.

My first reaction to Operation True Promise 3 and the start of the 12-day war was that the Zionist regime was finally facing the consequences of its actions—not just the Zionist regime, but the entire global system of American imperialism, which has waged war not only against the Palestinian people but also against the people of Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Iraq, and all the Global South and colonized nations. 

Do you think Israel achieved its goals in attacking Iran? 

Absolutely not. Being here, I see how resilient, united, and steadfast the Iranian people are. The spirit of solidarity and steadfastness here is very strong. Look at the indigenous military capabilities Iran has developed; the innovations produced in this country despite being under siege and sanctions. The Zionist regime and the U.S. government are clearly lying about the impact of their attacks. They want to exaggerate their own power and significance, but they are nothing more than paper tigers. 

Iran has resisted for over 50 years despite all difficulties—against regime change, imposed wars, and even the genocide the West has tried to wage against it. I am completely certain that victory against Zionism and imperialist powers is near. I must say the war is not over yet. The claim that Iran's nuclear capabilities have been destroyed is a lie. The Americans and Zionists spread these narratives to exaggerate their own power and success because none of their objectives have been achieved, forcing them to resort to lies. 

How do you view Iran's missile capabilities? How did you feel when Iran attacked Israel? 

I felt that the time had finally come for Israel to be held accountable for its crimes through Iran's missile strike—what Malcolm X, the African-American activist, described as "the chickens coming home to roost." Seeing images of Zionist soldiers being pulled from the rubble in the Occupied Territories, considering the destruction they have caused across the Axis of Resistance, this is only a very, very small beginning of what the Zionist regime and imperialists deserve. 

The 12-day war marked a sharp escalation in tensions. For us in the United States, seeing attacks against the Zionist regime brought a great sense of satisfaction. In America, many protests were held with Iranian flags to express solidarity with Iran and the Axis of Resistance. However, we in the U.S. have a duty to expand our protests as the genocide and war intensify. 

A number of journalists from various countries have come to Tehran since Thursday, July 17, at the invitation of the Sobh Media Center, to participate in an event titled "Condemnation of Terrorism Against Media", honoring media martyrs and visiting sites targeted by the Zionist regime during the 12-day war. 

The Sobh International Media Festival, launched in 2023, aims to introduce a large number of international media producers and foster constructive collaboration among them to shape global media narratives. The festival seeks to identify talented media professionals, honor them, and provide opportunities to sustain artistic creativity, thereby establishing a strong and influential media movement internationally.

RM/ME