Framing these attacks as part of a broader strategy to crush the Axis of Resistance and suppress sovereign states like Iran, he characterizes the Israeli state as fundamentally expansionist, built on terrorism, and engaged in what he calls a genocidal war in Gaza. Pondrelli denounces the hypoc-risy of Western governments and media, which he says not only whitewash Israel’s crimes but also act as enablers through military aid, political protection, and media censorship. He draws parallels between Zionist ambitions and historical colonialism, warning that the ultimate goal is regional domination through chaos and ethnic cleansing. Amidst growing global protests, Pon-drelli calls for the rise of a multipolar world and expresses strong solidarity with the Iranian peo-ple in the face of recent attacks. Read the full interview below.
1. "These days, the world is witnessing blatant acts of aggression by the Israeli regime against Iran and its people. In your view, why does this regime commit such crimes against defenseless civilians in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran? What drives it to continue these aggressions, including targeted assassinations?"
The Zionist regime is fighting a ferocious war to redefine the regional balance. In particular, they want to hit the Axis of Resistance, which represents the only prospect of redemption for the people of this region. To do this, terrorist groups in Syria have been financed, which has led to the overthrow of the legitimate government of that country. In Lebanon, they are attacking Hezbollah, which represents not only the Shiites but the Lebanese people. What is happening in Gaza is a real genocide. At the center of this strategy is the attack on Iran. The false evidence that has been brought (such as that shown by Colin Powell to the UN in 2003) is only a pretext to try to normalize the region. What is not tolerated is that there are sovereign states that do not bow to imperial-Zionist interests and that continue to fight for the solution of the Palestinian question.
2. "The Israeli regime claims to be targeting Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, yet it clearly strikes hospitals, infrastructure, and media institutions, with many of the victims being women and children. How can this contradiction be explained? What is the real objective behind these actions?"
The Israeli regime is technically a terrorist regime. Attacks on civilian infrastructure and the population are a strategic objective. They want to scare citizens because they know that, militarily, they cannot win the war that has been unleashed. Terrorism is functional to the ethnic cleansing of Palestine and the destabilization of non-aligned states. They do not want to change the regime but simply foment chaos, and to do this, they attack hospitals, television stations, and the civilian population. It is the same logic that, in the past, led the West to support ISIS to destabilize Syria.
3. "Although the UN and many human rights organizations have documented the war crimes of the Israeli regime, Western governments continue to support it militarily and politically. Why do you think Western countries largely remain silent in the face of these crimes?"
There are many reasons. First of all, Western governments are not sovereign. For example, Italy has almost 130 US bases on its territory, and on decisive foreign policy issues, the government and parliament have no real power.
Furthermore, we must not forget the role of the Israeli lobby — from politics to the mass media to universities. There is a very aggressive campaign in support of the Zionist regime, and at the same time, anyone who dissents is marginalized. Allow me to give an example: here in Italy, it is normal to hear journalists, politicians, or university professors on television who deny the genocide underway in Gaza, claiming that everything you see is Hamas' fault. They are the same ones who claim that the Zionist regime defended itself when it attacked Iran.
Finally, the role of politics must be criticized. More and more often, the squares of our cities are filled with demonstrations in favor of Palestine, but unfortunately, politics remains indifferent.
4. "Western media often portray the Israeli regime as acting in 'self-defense,' while ignoring its massacres of civilians in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran, as well as its assassination campaigns. How do you interpret this media bias, and what can be done to counter it?"
As mentioned, the media is permeated by a powerful Israeli lobby and loyalty to the United States. Not only do the large social networks censor critical news about these realities, but many journalists owe their careers to the support of these lobbies.
The press invents news in order to discredit Iran, defining it as a dictatorship in which women have no rights — all falsehoods, but no space is given to different opinions.
5. "What do you believe is the long-term goal of the Zionist regime’s aggressive and expansionist policies? What threats do these ambitions pose to its neighbors in the Middle East?"
My opinion is that the Zionist regime wants to erase the Palestinian question at its roots. The cultural roots of this attitude can be found in US history, which exterminated the Native Americans (and which was cited as a positive example by Adolf Hitler in Mein Kampf). To achieve this goal, it is necessary to strike Iran and the Axis of Resistance. This would be followed by recognition with Saudi Arabia and entry into the Cotton Route, which is supposed to run from India to Italy. This is the geo-strategic project shared with the United States. The Arab countries must understand that this is not a viable path. The Palestinian question must remain central, and people cannot be bartered away for some commercial contract.
6. "What is your personal reaction to the recent attacks by this regime against Iran and the killing of civilians? What message would you like to share?"
I am fortunate to have friends in Iran, so my first thought was for them. My generation has never known war and therefore cannot understand the suffering of people when they are attacked. After the barbaric attack on your country, I wrote to the Iranian ambassador in Italy. I am sending you the same message:
“In these dramatic days following the aggression suffered by your country, I want to convey to you, to President Masoud Pezeshkian, to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and to all the Iranian people my fullest and most heartfelt solidarity.”
7. "The United States routinely vetoes UN resolutions condemning the Israeli regime's crimes. In your opinion, do US policies enable and sustain these aggressions? How can both regimes be held accountable?"
The USfollows the lead of the Zionist regime, and the same can be said of the European Union. We voted for 18 packages of sanctions against Russia. We even went as far as to ban the participation of Russian athletes in the Paralympics in Italy. They even prevented the participation of Russian animals in a dog show. Universities cancelled courses on Dostoevsky.
But incredibly, the United States vetoes any UN resolution condemning the Israeli regime. Whoever does not denounce this war of aggression today is an accomplice — and tomorrow will not be able to say, “I did not know.”
8. "Protests against the Zionist regime's crimes are growing worldwide. How can this global solidarity be transformed into effective political and economic pressure?"
Protests are growing all over the world. I can tell you an interesting story. Recently in Italy, an important cycling event took place — the Giro d’Italia. The event was broadcast on television, and the director did everything possible to avoid showing the many Palestinian flags along the route, but it was to no avail — the popular participation was so high that no one was able to ignore it.
We must continue to fight, to denounce that the Zionist regime's war against Iran was a criminal war of aggression. At the same time, it is important to state that those who protest are not protesting against the Jews, but against the Zionist regime — and very often, it is Jews themselves who denounce these crimes.
9. "The Israeli regime possesses illegal nuclear weapons without any IAEA oversight, yet it attacks Iran under the pretext of nuclear concerns. Isn’t this a clear example of double standards in global norms? How should the international community address this hypocrisy?"
The West has double standards in its policy. It talks about international law with respect to Russia, but it was the first to trample on it. According to the West, Iran cannot develop nuclear power — but the Israeli regime not only possesses it, it also refuses to accept inspections.
The solution is the construction of a multipolar world, which would mean a democratic world in which each state has the right to its own sovereignty. To achieve this, the relationship between China, Russia, and Iran is fundamental — and it is the great hope for all the people of the world.
NOURNEWS