The conflict between Israel and Iran in mid-2025 has created global concern. The exchange of missiles, including ballistic missiles as a show of advanced military power between the two countries, has the potential to have direct and indirect impacts on all countries in the world. Instead of creating peace and security, there will be increased tension and the threat of a global political and economic crisis.
The conflict stems from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's order for airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites in Isfahan in the early hours of Friday, June 13, 2025, Tehran time. This attack was considered a direct violation of Iranian sovereignty, triggering a retaliatory strike from the Iranian side. Since then, both sides have launched missile strikes on each other almost daily, and have continued for more than a week.
Ironically, this conflict has worsened due to the unilateral actions of the United States, which on Sunday morning, June 22, 2025, sent seven B-2 Spirit bombers and fired more than 30 Tomahawk missiles from submarines towards three Iranian nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. This attack was called “Operation Midnight Hammer”. The bombers departed from Whiteman Air Base in Missouri and took about 18 hours to fly into Tehran's airspace. In this attack, at least 14 GBU-57/B Massive Ordnance Penetrators bunker-busting bombs were dropped to destroy Iran's underground uranium enrichment facilities.
After the official announcement from the President of the United States, Donald Trump, the whole world condemned the action. The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, publicly deplored the United States' rash action. Many world leaders feared an escalation of conflict that could lead to a Third World War.
After the American attack, Iran showed its anger and accused the United States of violating the UN Charter and the principle of state sovereignty. Moreover, this attack was carried out in the middle of the ongoing diplomatic negotiation process with Iran in Switzerland.
Iran in Historical Perspective
The world is currently witnessing long-range warfare with the use of high-tech weapons. The Zionist government of Israel, under Benjamin Netanyahu, has in the past two decades been known to have advanced air defense systems such as Iron Dome, David's Sling, and THAAD which are aids from the United States. However, in the war against Hamas since October 7, 2023, the capabilities of these defense systems have been questioned. Massive attacks from Hamas and its allies-Hezbollah in South Lebanon, the Houthis in Syria, and the Al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza-revealed the weakness of Israel's defense systems when faced with large waves of missile and drone attacks.
Prior to the June 13, 2025 incident, Israel was also known to have launched several attacks against Iran, such as attacks on the Iranian Embassy in Syria as well as against important figures such as Ismail Haniyyeh in Tehran and Hezbollah leader Sheikh Hasan Nasrallah in Beirut.
Iran's counterattack by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) showed impressive military sophistication. The ballistic missiles launched were able to penetrate the Iron Dome, David's Sling and THAAD defense systems. Some of them even have the ability to fool radar and hit the target in less than 15 minutes from launch.
This military capability is the result of Iran's independent technological development during decades of embargo and economic isolation from the West. After the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran managed to demonstrate its ability to build military independence that not many other countries could achieve under similar conditions.
Historically, the power and sophistication of Iran today is not surprising. Persia - before it was renamed Iran in 1935 - was one of the world's great civilizations. Since the pre-Islamic era, the Persians were known as a highly civilized nation, producing important figures in philosophy, medicine, and sciences such as mathematics and algebra.
After the advent of Islam, the Persians became an important pillar in building classical Islamic civilization, especially during the Abbasid Dynasty. Many great scientists such as Imam Ghazali, Ibn Sina, and Al-Farabi came from Persian ethnicity. In medieval times, Persian dynasties such as Buwaihiyah, Thahiriyah, Samaniah, and Safawiyah helped shape the golden era of Islam which is often referred to as the Islamic Renaissance.
Iran under Colonialism and Modernization
Technically, Iran was never officially colonized by a Western country. However, in the 19th century, foreign influence - mainly British, Russian, and later American - was strong, especially during the reign of the Qajar Dynasty. Although Iran declared neutrality in World War I, Britain and Russia continued to interfere in Iran's internal affairs. In 1919, Britain tried to make Iran its protectorate, but this attempt failed thanks to Reza Shah Pahlavi's success in overthrowing the Qajar Dynasty and establishing the Pahlavi Dynasty.
During the Pahlavi dynasty, Iran experienced rapid modernization and westernization, but the people felt oppression and injustice, especially towards the clergy and activists. This discontent culminated in the 1979 Islamic Revolution led by Ayatollah Khomeini, who eventually succeeded in overthrowing Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and establishing the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Distribution of Persians
Geographically, the Persians are not limited to Iran. They are also spread across Iraq, Afghanistan, and a number of Central Asian countries such as Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan-regions that were once part of the Soviet Union. They generally speak Persian (Farsi), and are part of the Indo-European family with a long history of culture, religion and science.
During the heyday of the Ancient Persian Empire, their territory covered the Balkan Peninsula to the Indus Valley. Throughout history, the Persians have embraced various beliefs such as Zoroastrianism, Christianity, Judaism, Baha'i, Sunni Islam, and eventually the majority became adherents of Shia Islam.
Iran is also known as one of the countries with the third largest oil reserves in the world and the second largest producer of natural gas. All of these natural resources are directly controlled by the state, not by foreign corporations.
Summary
Looking at the current geopolitical developments in the world, especially the conflict between Israel and Iran involving the United States, the world faces great uncertainty. The threat of a Third World War is increasingly real. Israel's actions that blatantly commit genocide against Palestinians in Gaza are the main trigger of this conflict.
Instead of weakening Hamas, Israel has to deal with Iran's proxy networks in the region such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, and the Houthis in Yemen. In an effort to impose dominance over Gaza, Israel carried out a direct attack on Iran by bombing Isfahan, which is suspected of being a uranium enrichment center. This triggered a strong reaction from Iran, which then launched intensive counterattacks on strategic Israeli areas.
Netanyahu finally asked the United States for support, which Donald Trump quickly responded to by sending a fleet of bombers and missiles to Iran. However, this move did not defuse the situation, but instead infuriated Iran even more. Most likely, this conflict will continue to escalate.
Will World War Three really break out? Only time will tell. Wallāhu a'lam.
Author: Muhamad Shoheh
Editor: Zaky
