By Masihudeen Inamullah –
Masihudeen Inamullah
The conflict between Iran and Israel is frequently portrayed as a long-standing regional rivalry driven by ideological and historical animosities. However, this framing is a gross oversimplification. The Iran-Israel tension is a flashpoint within a broader, multidimensional geopolitical contest involving global powers, regional alliances, and emergent coalitions. Understanding this requires unpacking the historical context and the contemporary shifts reshaping the international order.
Israel as the Neocolonial Imperial Axis in the Middle East
Since the Cold War, Israel has served not merely as a regional actor but as an extension of neocolonial ambitions, particularly those of the United States and its Western allies. It acts as a strategic fulcrum—an outpost projecting imperial influence deep into the Middle East, a region vital for its vast energy reserves and geostrategic position.
This dynamic has shaped many of the conflicts in the region, including the 1990 Gulf War, triggered by Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait. The swift US-led military response, known as Desert Storm, set a precedent for sustained Western military presence in the Gulf. Following this came the US invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, and the creation and manipulation of proxy groups such as ISIS—actions largely justified under the guise of fighting terrorism but serving deeper strategic goals.
Shifting Global Power and New Coalitions
The new millennium heralded significant transformations in global power dynamics. China’s rise as an economic and political superpower, exemplified by its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has challenged the US-led neoliberal order. The BRI’s reach across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East represents an alternative development and trade model, one that unsettles traditional Western dominance.
Simultaneously, the formation and strengthening of coalitions like BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) and the growing assertiveness of the Global South have altered the balance of influence on the world stage. These developments have exacerbated tensions and created competing spheres of influence, making the Middle East a key arena for contestation.
The Arab Spring and Regional Realignments
The Arab Spring uprisings beginning in 2010 unleashed waves of political upheaval across the Middle East and North Africa. What started as grassroots movements for democracy and social justice rapidly morphed into complex geopolitical struggles. Israel’s role evolved from a regional actor to a strategic partner leveraged in broader geopolitical manoeuvres.
Notable episodes such as the regime change in Egypt, the Qatar diplomatic crisis led by Saudi Arabia and its allies, and the challenge to Turkey’s growing regional influence illustrate how power dynamics shifted. These events were not isolated but interwoven with wider strategies to maintain influence, control resources, and shape political outcomes.
Proxy Conflicts and Interconnected Wars
The Saudi-led coalition’s military campaign against the Houthi rebels in Yemen, Israel’s recurrent military operations in Gaza, and ongoing conflicts in Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan represent different fronts of the same overarching strategic framework. These proxy conflicts serve to fragment and weaken opposition forces, entrench alliances, and maintain Western and allied interests.
In parallel, the war between Russia and Ukraine, which significantly affects European markets and energy supplies, can also be viewed within this context of global power recalibration. The synchronization of conflicts across multiple theatres suggests a coordinated strategy rather than isolated regional disputes.
Iran’s Central Role in the Emerging Geopolitical Order
Amid this complex tapestry, Iran has emerged as a pivotal player. Far from being a mere regional antagonist, Iran’s positioning in the conflict has larger implications. Its resistance to Western-led interventions, alliances with non-state actors, and strategic influence across the Levant and the Gulf challenge established power structures.
The current tensions between Iran and Israel thus appear to be the opening chapter of a more extensive geopolitical contest—a multidimensional conspiracy aiming to shape regional and global outcomes. In this evolving game, Iran is not a pawn but a key piece whose role could determine the direction of the 21st-century world order.
Conclusion
Framing the Iran-Israel conflict solely as a regional issue misses the broader context of a world in flux. It is a theatre where imperial ambitions, emerging powers, and shifting alliances intersect. The outcomes of this conflict will reverberate far beyond the Middle East, influencing the future of global politics, economics, and security.
Recognizing this larger picture is essential for understanding the true stakes and potential trajectories of the Iran-Israel tension—and, more broadly, the future of international relations in a multipolar world.
*Masihudeen Inamullah, Former Political Analyst Embassies of KSA, Qatar in Colombo
LankaScot / June 16, 2025
Hello Masihudeen Inamullah,
You seem to have missed out a very important event; the Iranian Revolution in 1979. The Americans have never forgiven them for the Deposition of the Shah (who the US put in power) and the Embassy Hostage Crisis. The Iranian Students seized the Embassy and held 50 Diplomats and staff for more than 400 days. Zbigniew Brzezinski proposed a Rescue Operation that completely failed. Jimmy Carter got the blame. Since then Iran has been isolated by the West, subject to crippling Sanctions and for the last 2 or 3 Decades has been the subject of Netanyahu’s threats over its Nuclear Program. You cannot separate the Palestinian Nakba in 1948 and the recent Genocide in Gaza against them, from the Iran Attacks by Israel. Israel knows that Iran is the only serious threat to its hegemony in the Middle East. Maybe SJ can provide more insight into what is taking place?
Best regards
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SJ / June 16, 2025
LS
Thanks
You have summed it up neatly.
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Israel was hoping to bring down Iran by war with Saudi support.
Chinese diplomacy has blocked that prospect, although SA is unlikely to intervene on the side of Iran. Saudi ties with the US are much strained, but nowhere close to breaking point, as the rulers are wary of Arab popular uprisings anywhere as threats to their existence, and their interests coincide with those of the US there.
Israeli desperation has pushed it to waging a massive attack on Iran, and Trump is very much into it. It seems bad judgment of Iran’s likely response.
Iran has to be measured in its response not to justify US military intervention.
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old codger / June 17, 2025
Nothing is as black and white as it may seem on the surface.
The US sells weapons to Israel but is careful not to get involved (so far). But it sends signals, like dozens of aerial tankers suddenly crossing the Atlantic.
Russia has weapons deals with Iran but doesn’t intervene to defend it.
The US (and Israel) don’t do much when ISIS takes over Syria.The Russians leave meekly. Where are all the tears over freedom for women, etc? But the same people have much heartburn over a much milder regime in Iran. Israel wants regime change in Iran but not Syria .
I get the impression that it’s time to stock up on petrol. Now is the time to be thankful that we have no real winter.
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chiv / June 19, 2025
OC, “nothing is as black and white as it may seem on surface “.
Fully Agree.
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SJ / June 19, 2025
oc
The Russians left Syria when the government was already too weak to defend itself. Surely, not looking for another Afghanistan of the 1980s.
Israel has achieved its regime change in Syria with the US and Islamic fundamentalists as partners.
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ramona therese fernando / June 17, 2025
LankaScot,
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Iranians brought down the Shah because their oil was being stolen under their very noses, first by UK and later by USA. Their masses were suffering untold misery whilst the Shah and his circle were kept in the laps of luxury. Deposed Shah and his family then lived in Western lands, off the billions of US$ of Iranian money stashed in overseas accounts.
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At some point during these decades, negotiations to ease sanctions and give Iran its due for its oil was out of the question because US had already created the monetary-oil-balance with Saudi. And that included Israel’s expansion via Jewish billionaires intricately linked with US monetary system. Hence was the creation of Iran’s nuclear program to have cheap electricity and show some threat to Israel for their many decades of suffering
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ramona therese fernando / June 17, 2025
To be fair to the Shah, he did try to negotiate with the West for his people, but they would not budge because their monetary systems born out of stealing Iran’s oil would have collapsed. West then decided to be more cautious in making a more equitable deal with Saudi and the other Arab oil producing states.
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Only plan left for West is to kill off the Ayatolla Islamic regime, install another Shah, and leave the Iranian masses without their wealth due to them as before.
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In the meantime, silly Saudi regime will waver between whether to support their own Islamic people or keep their untold wealth provided the West
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ramona therese fernando / June 17, 2025
Anything different will topple the intricately and delicate Western monetary blance set up by historical wrongdoings. And with China’s rise, there is no chance for Iran. And Israel will continue its expansion because US Israeli billionaires don’t know how to pull out without toppling the US monetary system…..unless of course Trump will have the inspiration to come up with something profound and avert WW3. It all boils down to dastardly Saudi and the dastardly Arab states giving the helping hands to Iran and the Palestinians in the end.
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LankaScot / June 19, 2025
Hello Ramona,
I know what you mean, but strictly speaking the Silurian Shales from 430 Million Years ago are the main source of the Saudi Wealth. They will be productive for quite a while longer and remember Saudi is vast and many parts remain unexplored for Oil and Minerals. As I said I was in the Middle East when three Major Events were taking place; the Mecca Siege by Al Otaibi , the overthrow of the Shah and later on the Iran/Iraq War. On the Iran Iraq War there were no winners.
Best regards
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ramona therese fernando / June 20, 2025
LankaScot,……Yes, to balance their budgets, the West could only pay equitable wealth to selected countries of the M.E. Iraq and Iran were out of it. Trying to change historical monetary wrongdoings seems to be an impossibility for the West. In spite of the region’s wealth, tribal disunity amongst the whole lot makes it impossible, with Silly Saudi shamefully revealing in its conferred-by-US glory status over all the rest. Intelligent Aryan Iran on the other hand acts according to evolved principal and practices. When they see fellow Islamic people being holocausted by Jews of mostly Europeans blood, they take up their innate call to protect their own Allah-called inhabitants to Jannah, even in the face of death. What a profound race! The true essence of what Aryanism is about (not blond hair and blue eyes, but a testament to the Truth!).
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SJ / June 19, 2025
“Iranians brought down the Shah because their oil was being stolen under their very noses, “
BS
The Shah was a terror. His police state was unbearable.
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ramona therese fernando / June 20, 2025
SJ,…….that was because he could not control his people beyond the West stealing Iran’s oil and him living in Western style luxury
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Champa / June 16, 2025
Why did Israel attack Iran on June 13? I do not think Iran’s nuclear programme is the reason because Iran was already having nuclear talks with the USA at the time Israel attacked Iran and killed its top military officers and nuclear scientists.
There could be many reasons for Israel’s decision to attack Iran again this year.
1. To distract citizens.
Unpopular world leaders use wars and proxy wars to increase their approval ratings and also to distract their citizens. At the time of Israel’s attack on Iran, Donald Trump was facing severe backlash for deploying military forces in Los Angeles and Netanyahu was facing backlash for abducting and detaining Greta Thunberg, her fellow activists and the aid-boat crew.
2. To Give a topic to the G7 summit that supersedes all other topics.
In previous G7 meetings, the United States viewed Russia as a threat. That threat is no longer saleable and they now want a new threat. At this year’s G7 summit, the United States will make Iran the new Russia.
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Contd’…..
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Champa / June 16, 2025
3. As a marketing strategy to sell America’s Golden Dome system.
4. To make it a reason to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader who is the backbone of Iran. This is not a new thing. I said this even last year after Israel’s attack on Iran. He is the target.
In the past, Israel and Ukraine assassinated Iranian and Russian military officers with the help of US military satellites. The United States has the most military satellites in the world numbering 247. Israel wouldn’t even think of attacking Iran without the backing of the US. The Biden administration maintained a close rapport with the former Iranian Prime Minister and his Foreign Minister, but later assisted their assassination. The Ukrainian President invited Mr. Putin for peace talks in Turkeye (again). When he made the same invitation to Mr. Putin in 2022, I gave my unsolicited advice for him not to go. The intensity of the invitation and the confidence of Ukraine and its allies were so much, even Donald Trump thought he would come. I knew he wouldn’t go to Turkeye and I don’t believe he will ever meet the Ukrainian President either. It seems to me, Ukraine has to sign a second Budapest Agreement + to end the war.
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Contd’….
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Champa / June 16, 2025
5. Maybe, maybe, an attack on Iran was already on the table and the US-Iran nuclear talks could be aimed at distracting Iran.
I believe Iran was surprised by Israel’s attack. The attack on Iran was meant to be top secret because Pete Hegseth didn’t share the attack plans on Signal chat this time. But, the pizza joints around the Pentagon were aware of it, because at 6:59 p.m. there had been a huge surge of pizza orders from the Pentagon and at 8:30 p.m. Israel attacked Iran. According to pizza delivery trackers, they have experienced a similar surge in pizza orders from the Pentagon when Israel attacked Iran in 2024.
6. Maybe, all my above assumptions are wrong. Maybe Israel wanted to scuttle the France-Saudi co-chaired UN Conference on Palestine scheduled to be held from June 17-20. It was widely believed that the French President would make a statement recognizing Palestine as a State. The Israel-Iran war has made it impossible for the Palestinian President and his delegation to travel to New York to attend the conference. Therefore, it is now postponed.
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Contd’…….
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Champa / June 16, 2025
As I said sometime ago, US Presidents are mere puppets. It is their officials who run the show. Joe Biden initiated two proxy wars. Donald Trump already tried two. Unless TACO makes a difference, the world will end up with four proxy wars. Having said that, Iran has too many trump cards like increasing global oil and gas prices and activating or deactivating some chokepoints.
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LankaScot / June 16, 2025
Hello Champa,
Straits of Hormuz? This was the crux of the film “Countdown to Looking Glass”. The closure of the Straits (by Oman with a Toll) leads to Nuclear War between the USA and the Soviet Union. I watched it offshore whilst on a Diving Vessel in the Arabian Gulf. At the time it was scary stuff especially as I had previously been in Saudi at the time of the Grand Mosque (Kabah) seizure in 1979 by Al-Otaybi. Now there is no Soviet Union, but the dangers are “Clear and Present”.
Best regards
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RBH59 / June 16, 2025
They claimed Iraq had weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), but none were found.
The main justification for the 2003 invasion was proven false.
Later reports confirmed intelligence was flawed or exaggerated. The Epicentre of a Global Power Struggle r
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LankaScot / June 17, 2025
Hello RBH59, (and maybe Champa)
Bush and Blair new perfectly well that Iraq did not have WMDs.
Remember the Chilcot Inquiry – this was Mehdi Hassan writing in the New Staesman back in 2010. https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2010/02/iraq-war-israel-bush-saddam
In 2002 writing in the Wall Street Journal, Benjamin Netanyahu proclaimed the “The Case for Toppling Saddam”. The Iraq War was at Israel’s behest just as the Iran War is currently. For at least 30 years Netanyahu has asserted that Iran is just weeks (sometimes days) away from having a Nuclear Bomb. This was Stephen J Miller on the justification for the War
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://ciaotest.cc.columbia.edu/special_section/iraq/papers/mis01/mis01.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwivxt_j_feNAxXF4zgGHVVXI9wQFnoECBUQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2ur6YvP1-eltb7ExqFwgI6
Israel couldn’t bring down Saddam Hussein, any more than they could bring down the Iranian Government on their own. They needed the US (and the UK) to carry out his wishes in Iraq, just as they do now for Iran.
Read what John J. Mearsheimer wrote back in 2006 about the US and the Israeli Lobby.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://research.hks.harvard.edu/publications/getFile.aspx%3FId%3D209&ved=2ahUKEwivxt_j_feNAxXF4zgGHVVXI9wQFnoECCwQAQ&usg=AOvVaw29da2sm4wi3LdlAfG-QemW
I saw American Pilot’s flying F14 Tomcats against the Iranian F14s in the latter part of the Iran Iraq War. We even went on a Search & Recover Mission to find a downed F14 in the Gulf close to Iran’s Border.
Best regards
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SJ / June 17, 2025
“Since the Cold War, Israel has served not merely as a regional actor but as an extension of neocolonial ambitions, “
I think test the author has woken up rather late to reality.
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Israel has been in it all along. It is a full partner of US imperialism in West Asia and even North Africa.
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Ajith / June 18, 2025
The theatre has now moved from Israel- Palestine to Israel-Iran. This may be a tactical move by Israel to change the eyes of the world from Palestine to Iran. It may end of with the same effect with the Bush administration along with Tony Blair invasion of Irag with the search for weapons of mass destruction. USA needs Israel as long as the oil in power in the Middle East.
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SJ / June 18, 2025
“This may be a tactical move by Israel to change the eyes of the world from Palestine to Iran. “
What a daft insight!
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Ajith / June 19, 2025
“What a daft insight!”
I know you are an expert on tactical special status of Buddhism and Mrs SWRD right hand.
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Champa / June 19, 2025
LankaScot
Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
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Israel’s attack on Iran questions the integrity of Donald Trump in negotiating with Iran. Israel killed Iran’s nuclear negotiator in an apparent attempt to derail US nuclear talks.
Iran didn’t walk away from nuclear talks. The United States made them do so. Having said that, on April 12, Donald Trump sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader inviting him for a nuclear peace agreement. The letter set a deadline for two months to reach the agreement. Once the deadline passed, that is on June 13, Trump ordered Israel to attack Iran and kill nuclear scientists. Trump’s 2-month deadline is ridiculous as it took Barack Obama 20 months to reach a nuclear agreement with Iran. Did Trump’s team at any point remind Iran of the deadline or were they of the view that the deadline was to commence talks?
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Champa / June 19, 2025
Iran says their attack on Israel hasn’t started yet and what they are exercising now is deterrence. Iran’s “deterrence” has not only evaded and breached Israel’s iron dome defence systems but also made its multi-layered systems confused and attacked each other. What a real attack will look like we don’t know yet. People say Israel looks like Gaza now. In the meantime, there is an unprecedented support for Iran on social media and the commenters are of the view that Iran has a right to defend itself.
Iran seems to have been ready for an attack from the US and Israel for years. But, in an article published on May 24, 2025, “Military Watch” magazine indicated that Iran doesn’t possess any kind of airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft.
https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/iranian-slipup-key-information-defences-natanz
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Champa / June 19, 2025
Iran doesn’t possess nuclear weapons and will never produce them as the Iranian Supreme Leader vetoes the idea. Both Israel and the United States are fully aware of it. The reason to attack Iran could be something else.
It is more likely that Iran is interested in nuclear energy than nuclear weapons. Approximately, 20% of the electricity in the USA is provided by nuclear energy. It is 70% in France. What’s wrong with Iran doing the same?
According to the US Department of Energy, nuclear weapons and nuclear reactors are different in four ways. 1. They follow two different paths. 2. Their designs are completely different. 3. Nuclear bombs and reactors use different fuel. 4. Nuclear weapons and nuclear reactors leave different waste products.
If the United States is so concerned about Iran’s uranium amass, it should engage negotiations with Iran and should not try to kill two birds with one stone.
Technological negotiations take time and need patience. The world should be thankful for the United States for inviting Iran for nuclear talks. Iran’s flexibility is also commendable. I wish all the best for Mr. Donald Trump to achieve the unachievable!!!
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leelagemalli / June 19, 2025
As of 2025, the nations known to possess nuclear weapons fall into two categories: recognized nuclear-weapon states under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), and non-NPT nuclear-armed states.
🔹 Recognized Nuclear Weapon States (NPT States)
These five countries are officially recognized by the NPT as nuclear-weapon states:
United States
Russia
China
France
United Kingdom
These countries developed nuclear weapons before 1967 and are permanent members of the UN Security Council.
🔹 Non-NPT Nuclear-Armed States
These countries possess nuclear weapons but are not part of the NPT as recognized nuclear states:
India – Conducted nuclear tests in 1974 and 1998; never signed the NPT.
Pakistan – Conducted nuclear tests in 1998; never signed the NPT.
North Korea – Withdrew from the NPT in 2003; conducted nuclear tests starting in 2006.
Israel – Has a policy of “nuclear ambiguity”; widely believed to possess nuclear weapons but has never confirmed or denied it, and is not a signatory to the NPT.
🔹 Other Considerations
Iran is a signatory to the NPT and has no declared nuclear weapons, but its nuclear program has raised international concerns.
South Africa developed nuclear weapons in the past but voluntarily dismantled them in the early 1990s.
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