In a land where silence has been weaponized and protest has become a form of prayer, the people of Myanmar understand what it means to fight for dignity against overwhelming force. In the wake of the U.S. nuclear missile strike on Iran, Myanmar has broken its silence to declare:
“This is not war. This is annihilation.”

“We condemn this nuclear strike not only as a crime against Iran,
but as a warning to all oppressed peoples that power still chooses violence over justice,”
said a joint statement by exiled Myanmar civil society groups.

1. A Shared History of Resistance

Myanmar and Iran—two vastly different nations—have long histories of resisting foreign interference, sanctions, and civil unrest. Myanmar’s post-colonial journey has been marked by coups, crackdowns, and civil war, while Iran’s path has been shaped by revolution, sanctions, and survival.

The bombing of Tehran by nuclear weapons has resonated deeply in Myanmar, where many see Iran’s plight as their own reflection—of a people punished for demanding a voice.

2. Diplomatic Ties and Cultural Appreciation

While Myanmar and Iran have had limited economic engagement, diplomatic ties have remained intact, especially through platforms like the Non-Aligned Movement and Asian cooperation forums.

Iranian film, literature, and philosophy are respected among Myanmar’s academic circles, with Sufi poetry often cited in Buddhist and interfaith discussions about inner peace and suffering.

3. Religious and Grassroots Solidarity

In the Buddhist temples of Mandalay and Bagan, prayers have been offered for the victims of the Iranian tragedy. Monks known for their activism—such as those from the Saffron Revolution—have called the nuclear bombing “karma without conscience.”

Underground churches and Islamic communities in Yangon have also organized interfaith vigils, lighting candles and sharing prayers in Persian and Burmese.

The hashtag #MyanmarStandsWithIran gained traction across Twitter and Facebook, where youth compared the pain of Myanmar’s military violence to the bombardment of Iranian civilians.

4. A Voice from the Shadows: Government-in-Exile Speaks

While Myanmar’s military regime remains silent or aligned with global power plays, the National Unity Government (NUG) in exile issued a strong condemnation, declaring:

• The U.S. strike as a war crime

• Support for UN action to protect Iran’s civilians

• Calls for ASEAN and the OIC to denounce nuclear aggression

The NUG also highlighted the hypocrisy of global silence when violence is aimed at Eastern nations.

Conclusion

From dictatorship to disarmament, Myanmar sees in Iran a kindred struggle.

“We are a nation in chains.
But our souls recognize each other.
To the people of Iran,
Myanmar does not offer politics.
We offer solidarity, sorrow, and truth.
You are not alone under the sky of fire.”