The Middle East Stuck Between Zionist-Imperialist Terrorism and Iranian Despotism
The Middle East continues to go through turbulent and chaotic times as always. Wanting to respond to Israeli terrorism in Palestine, Iran launched an attack on Israel with hundreds of kamikaze unmanned aerial vehicles, ballistic and cruise missiles on April 13, 2024. The attack was neutralized in the air by Israel, but this was an event capable of causing the start of a war. The USA and NATO, which are naturally involved in this tension between Iran and Israel, Russia and China, which are watching the events for now, and Turkiye, which will be in the middle of the events again. In the perspective of this equation, it is a very necessary fact to explain the Israeli terrorism in the Middle East and the Iranian despotism in return and to determine the situation of the Middle Eastern people who are stuck in their middle and trying to breathe.
Israel has committed dozens of inhumane acts in the Palestinian territories since October 7, killing thousands of people and negatively affecting the lives of millions of people. Even if there are worldwide reactions, there is still no power that can stop Israel. While the USA, which is considered the protector of the world, continues its full support to Israel, Russia and China are content to just watch. The tension in the Middle East has recently evolved to a different dimension with the Iran-Israel tension. Although the basis of the recently developed struggle between Israel and Iran is apparently seen as the genocide in Palestine, the incident is entirely a result of a conflict of interests.
Israel and Iran are the two main elements of a complex relationship built on regional dynamics, geopolitical factors and ideological differences.
The interests and policies of Israel and Iran often move in opposing directions. This naturally requires the two states to fight each other. So, on what issues do these two states with imperialist ambitions conflict?
Israel sees Iran’s influence in the region and its nuclear program as a serious threat. Iranian-supported groups (e.g. Hezbollah) and Iran’s military presence in the region increase Israel’s security concerns and pose a direct threat to Israel. Iran keeps the tension alive by making very harsh statements against Israel and the USA from time to time, because the current government in the country reinforces its presence with anti-Zionist-imperialist discourses. Israel watches Iran’s nuclear program and its international repercussions with serious concern. Israel is fighting through diplomatic and military means to limit Iran’s nuclear capabilities, which directly affects Israel’s interests. Ideological and religious differences underlie the conflict between Israel and Iran. Iran’s Shiite Islamic regime uses rhetoric based on anti-Semitism, describing Israel as a “zionist enemy.” This situation increases the difficulty of relations between Israel and Iran. One of the main arguments of the Shiite Islamic regime governed by Iran is hatred of Israel and the USA. The prayers held in Iran and in every place where Shiites are located end with curses against these two countries. This attitude in Iran completely means that the regional dynamics are shaped on a religious and cultural anti-Zionist-imperialist basis.
Israel’s security interests in the region oppose Iran’s regional expansion and ideological goals.
People in the Middle East are trapped under the influence of tensions between Israel and Iran. Conflict and strife in this region have become a factor that affects the daily lives of the people and makes their future uncertain. The conflict between Israel and Iran weakens political and economic stability in the region, causes humanitarian crises and hinders people’s quest for peace and prosperity. While Palestinians and other Arab peoples struggle with Israel’s occupation policies and settlement in Palestinian territories, they also face Iran’s efforts to increase its influence in the region. In this situation, people in the Middle East are trying to survive without being party to the conflict and supporting peaceful solutions.
Efforts by the international community and regional leaders to bring the parties to the conflict together through diplomacy and dialogue are critical to keeping the hopes of the people in the region alive. In this difficult environment, every step towards peace and cooperation can be a promising step for the future of the people of the Middle East. In a geography stuck between Israeli terrorism and Iranian despotism, the only way out is dialogue and common sense.
