After the assassination of Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, the cloud of a larger war is looming in the West Asia region. The assassination subdued the territorial integrity of Iran. No country could have accepted what happened in Tehran last week, and Iran is no exception. In response, Iran has vowed to extract revenge and install its lost pride. According to media sources, Iran has blocked its airspace for military activities and advised civilian airlines worldwide to avoid flying through Iranian airspace. Due to these advisories from Iran, one can anticipate that the Iranians are planning something big against Israel, and a subsequent response from Israel could plunge West Asia into an escalatory cycle, leading to a full-fledged war in the region. The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran has informed Arab states that it no longer cares about the repercussions of a full-scale war in West Asia. The closure of airspace and vocal instruction to Arab nations from Iran has led to speculations of an Iranian attack on Israel. Earlier, Iran launched missiles and drones to attack Israel directly in April this year in response to Israel’s attack on the Iranian diplomatic mission in Syria. However, the intent is different from last time. Earlier, Iran had telegraphed the intent and nature of the attack several days in advance to Israel and its ally, the US, which helped them to make defensive arrangements in advance. The attack was symbolic and did minor damage to Israel. However, Iran did not give any prior information about the attack this time. Hence, the attack is anticipated to be on a much larger scale.
Israel a Legal State Behaving like a Terrorist
If one observes and follows Israel’s action in the region, one can find a clear violation of International law, Human rights violations and ethnic cleansing in Gaza. The brutal attack of Hamas on Israel on October 7 was no accordance with any law and was clearly inhuman in nature. However, what Israelis have done afterwards and what they are doing currently also does not fall under International law, nor it is in parallel with a civilised society. Israel is a legal state, and no state should act the way Israelis have acted. Adherence to human rights and international law is what separates a legal state from a terrorist organisation. However, the actions of Israel in Gaza are more brutal and inhumane in comparison to Hamas. Israel Defence Forces (IDF) personnel have been seen raping and performing inhumane activities to Palestine detainees. More than 40000 civilians, including 15000 children, have died. The International Court of Justice, one of the principal organs of the United Nations, has issued an advisory ruling, where they asked to stop the Palestinian genocide and end the occupation of Gaza. All this happened in the last ten months has not only changed the public perception of Israel but also made them more and more sympathetic towards Palestinians in the societies of the arab world. People and states think that Israel, with the military and diplomatic support of the US, has crossed all the lines and needs to be contained. The assassination of Haniyeh has not only questioned the security and intelligence apparatus of Iran but also made them feel humiliated in the region. Iran is a regional power, an aspiring Nuclear power with comparatively huge military muscle and extended proxies in the form of Hautis, Hezbollah and Hamas in West Asia. Poking Iran on their soil has escalated the possibility of a wider war in the region.
“Assassination on Iranian Soil”, Last Kill in the Coffin
The recent extraterritorial assassination has underscored Netanyahu’s apparent lack of commitment to peace. His actions suggest a proclivity for regional destabilisation through violence and expansionist policies. Netanyahu’s strategy appears to involve drawing other nations, particularly the United States, into the conflict. While publicly discouraging external involvement, his actions indicate a desire to broaden the conflict across the region, potentially to bolster his domestic political position. The attacks on Iranian diplomatic missions in Syria and the assassination of a Hamas leader in Tehran demonstrate Netanyahu’s apparent intent to provoke Iran into direct, conventional warfare. Such an escalation would likely compel U.S. intervention in defence of Israel. The deployment of the Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and additional naval assets to the Gulf region by the U.S. Navy corroborates this possibility. From an Israeli strategic perspective, involving the U.S. in direct conflict with Iran may be perceived as advantageous. However, from a regional and global standpoint, such escalation could have severe consequences for West Asian populations and disrupt oil flows, potentially leading to far-reaching repercussions.
The US should Understand!
The United States’ consistent efforts to mitigate Israel’s controversial actions may no longer be tenable. It is imperative for the U.S. to assert greater control over its ally’s behaviour. The region cannot sustain further provocations from Israel or any other nation. The “Axis of Resistance,” comprising Iran, Hezbollah, Houthis, and various militias in Syria and Iraq, may likely engage in retaliatory actions, potentially leading to profound consequences for all parties involved in the conflict.
The region is already experiencing a collective psychological state of fear and trauma, exacerbated by the daily exposure to graphic media depicting violence and atrocities. The perceived lack of tangible support from the international community for the Palestinian population has further intensified regional tensions. Muslim-majority nations, often subject to external critiques on democracy and human rights issues, appear to be approaching the limits of their tolerance for such discourse.
The West, particularly the United States, must take decisive action to curb violence and provocations in the region. Failure to do so may result in a significant erosion of the West’s perceived moral authority. This situation underscores the complex interplay of geopolitical interests, regional dynamics, and ethical considerations in international relations.
