Reflections on Israel’s War Against Iran
Israel’s aggression on Iranian soil—including the killing of civilians, women, and children, the assassination of nuclear scientists, the targeting of senior military commanders, and the destruction of Iranian nuclear facilities—must be unequivocally condemned from every perspective. Since its illegitimate establishment on Palestinian land (see Rashid Khalidi, The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine: A History of Settler Colonialism and Resistance, 1917-2017, New York: Picador, 2021), the Zionist regime has been the primary source of instability and tension in the region. It has consistently engaged in usurpation, assassination, the killing of civilians, apartheid, and violations of international law, repeatedly ignoring United Nations resolutions since at least 1967. The actions Israel has taken in Gaza over the past two years have been condemned by the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Amnesty International, Doctors Without Borders, UNICEF, and other UN agencies as war crimes, genocide, ethnic cleansing, mass murder, targeted killings of children and women, and mass torture through starvation (e.g., Jeremy Bowen, “Israel is accused of the gravest war crimes—how governments respond could haunt them for years to come,” BBC, June 8, 2025).
Israel has carried out similar actions in southern Lebanon, the Syrian Golan Heights, and Yemen. Under the pretext of “self-defense,” Israel refuses to recognize any rights or show respect to those it considers enemies or threats. The Zionist regime stands as a stark example of tyranny, apartheid, and a profound failure of humanity. There is no doubt about the darkness, cruelty, and brutality embodied by Israel’s leaders, which warrants unequivocal condemnation. It is important to emphasize that Zionism is not synonymous with Judaism. Many progressive Jews worldwide view Israel’s actions as a disgrace to Jewish values and seek to disassociate themselves from them. At the same time, there is no denying the long history of humiliation and persecution Jews endured in the Christian West for centuries, culminating in the horrific atrocity of the Holocaust under Nazi Germany. Since the early 20th century, attitudes shifted in the West as Christian Zionism gained momentum among Evangelicals, providing Jewish Zionism with a foothold. In a gesture of atonement for past injustices against Western Jews, England, France, and the United States established Israel on Palestinian soil and have since supported and equipped it unconditionally. In effect, Israel has become almost like a 51st state of the United States, where criticism of Israel is often equated with the unforgivable crime of anti-Semitism (see Ilan Pappe, Ten Myths About Israel, New York: Verso, 2017).
Israel did not limit itself to the amount of Palestinian land recognized by the United Nations in 1948, despite unwavering support from its Western backers. Instead, it expanded its territorial control through multiple wars against Arab states. Today, it is clear to all that Israel claims the entirety of Palestine and does not regard the indigenous Palestinian people as fully human, making their killing appear justified within its ideology. According to a particular interpretation of the Torah central to Zionist ideology, anyone labeled as “Amalek” is deemed worthy of death and can be killed without trial, including children and infants, and their land may be destroyed (see The Encyclopedia Judaica, 2nd edition, 2:28-31, “Amalekites”). Israeli leaders consider Palestinians who refuse to abandon their ancestral lands and reject the usurper to be “Amalek,” and these people are subjected to deliberate daily massacres.
With the unwavering support of the United States, Britain, France, and other European countries—including unconditional financial, technological, military, intelligence, and security assistance—Israel has acted with impunity, violating international legal treaties, trampling moral standards, and exhibiting extreme barbarity and cruelty. Without such backing, Israel would never have been able to perpetrate such widespread crimes. Although some European nations have voiced concern over the tragic torture of the people of Gaza through starvation and attacks on defenseless civilians, their protests have remained largely rhetorical. The U.S. government—regardless of whether led by Democrats or Republicans—has been the primary accomplice to Israel’s aggression, repeatedly vetoing every United Nations resolution aimed at defending oppressed Palestinians and promoting peace and a lasting ceasefire.
Uranium enrichment is not inherently linked to military use, and its peaceful application is Iran’s indisputable right. Israel—possessing nuclear weapons—and the United States—the only country to have used atomic bombs—are neither legally nor morally entitled to set limits for other nations, including Iran, or to justify military attacks under this pretext. Nuclear weapons serve as a pretext; in reality, Israel seeks to prevent any country from challenging its expansionist and aggressive policies. Israel desires a submissive and compliant region, as seen in much of the Arab world, but Iran has refused to conform. The United States, now the undisputed global superpower, similarly views the Islamic Republic of Iran as a primary troublemaker.
Although the United States has publicly distanced itself from Israel’s recent attack—which could be seen as a positive sign—it has neither opposed the strike nor prevented it, as Israel would not have been able to act without U.S. acquiescence. In fact, President Trump is the first U.S. president to openly permit Israel to conduct military operations against Iran. This apparent policy aims to protect American bases and personnel in the region. In reality, Israel’s attack on Iran was carried out in full coordination with the United States, using highly advanced American weaponry—some of which the U.S. itself has yet to deploy. The assault is ongoing, and the full extent of the damage remains unknown. President Trump intends to impose illegal and unjustified demands on the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Although Israel has pursued its objectives in the Middle East through military means, backed by highly advanced American and European weaponry, it has failed miserably in the realms of law, morality, and humanity. As a result, Israel is arguably the most hated country in the world. Similarly, during President Trump’s tenure, the United States has experienced a severe decline, violating many of its core “American values” in both domestic and foreign policies. His unconditional support for Israel has only deepened the international animosity directed at both countries.
However, Israel’s complete disgrace does not imply that the Islamic Republic of Iran has acted correctly in its domestic policies or avoided mistakes in its foreign policy. Dictators such as Mu’ammar Gaddafi of Libya, Saddam Hussein of Iraq, and both senior and junior Assad of Syria were all staunchly anti-Israel. Yet, the governments of the Islamic Republic of Iran—which represent less than twenty percent of the Iranian population—must listen to the voices of the eighty percent majority before it is too late, address their demands, and govern according to the national will. I have recently discussed some of these points about Iran and Israel in this interview: “Iran: The Domination of a Minority Over a Diverse Society” (Claudio Fontana, The Oasis Foundation, Milan, Italy, May 7, 2025).
There is no doubt that the aggressor’s hold must be broken, and the homeland firmly defended. However, the scope of defense, retaliation, and revenge—whether we like it or not—is ultimately determined by our national capabilities. In the past, two important principles were overlooked in defending and aiding oppressed non-Iranians: first, prioritizing the consent of Iranian citizens, and second, taking into account the country’s national capacities when extending foreign assistance.
Iran’s allies in the struggle against Israel—in Palestine, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, and Iraq—have now been severely weakened or sidelined, while Israel has brazenly launched a military attack on Iran. Once again, the same two principles must guide the response: prioritizing public consent over governmental demands and respecting national capabilities. Being right alone is not sufficient; the goals and rhetoric must be proportional to a nation’s capacities. Moreover, the international order is not founded on truth or justice—it has always been shaped by the dominance of immoral powers.
What is most important is, first, to minimize harm to Iranian citizens and infrastructure. Second, while nuclear energy is Iran’s indisputable right, it is not the highest priority; national interests and the preservation of Iran must come first. Third, unsupported sloganeering—even if true—should be avoided. We need to act more and talk less. Fourth, the struggle against Israel can and should be pursued more thoughtfully and rationally, adhering to diplomatic, legal, and ethical standards, while aligning domestic and foreign policies with public demand and national interests.
This is the English version of what I posted on my Persian website on June 13th, 2025.