The Hindu editorial explanation.  Page no. 6. A three-dimensional view of the Israel – Iran crisis written by Stanly Johny.

The article is based on the recent Israel – Iran conflict, To understand the article we must first understand the background understanding of the conflict.

Israel and Iran are two strategic countries in West Asia. Iran is an Islamic state while Israel is a a Jewish state.  The relations between the two have not always been hostile, in fact, Iran was one of the first countries to recognise Israel.  Recently Iran attacked Israel, directly for the first time and this article talks about the three major viewpoints of the event.

West Asia Political Map

BACKGROUND UNDERSTANDING

The historical ties of the two nations can be understood in two phases i.e. pre 1979 and post 1979 revolution. In the pre-1979 era, both countries had good ties between 1941 and 1979. Although Iran faced a backlash from the arab countries, Iran still continued to sell oil to Israel. It can also be said that the two were in friendly relations because Iran at that point followed a pro-western foreign policy.

It was after the 1979 revolution in Iran when the despotic Shah was overthrown that the new government followed an anti-Israel policy, and Israel was merely viewed as an occupier of the Palestinian land.  During this time, Iran did not follow a pro-western foreign policy and also challenged two major US alliances in the area that were Israel and Saudi Arabia. In fact, the former supreme leader of Iran Ayatollah Khomeini termed Israel as little satan and us as the bigger satan.

(Satan means a devil)

Until April 2024, Iran and Israel were involved in a shadow war or a proxy war which means that they were directly not targeting each other but through their alliance. Out of the 18 total countries in West Asia, 5 countries are Iran alliance or are backed by Iran i.e Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, Yemen and Iraq. Iran at present also has strong diplomatic ties with China and Russia especially when Iran started providing drones to Russia in the Ukraine war.

WHY HAS IRAN ATTACKED ISRAEL?

While there are many possible causes such as airstrikes on Gaza and the Iranian embassy and also maybe the assassination of Iran’s Army General, the most recent and possible one seemed to be Israael’s attack on Damascus, Syria which is an Iran-backed country. As per reports, this attack on Iran was a retaliation for Israel’s attack on Syria.

WHAT DOES THE ARTICLE SAY?

The article basically aims to provide the three major viewpoints that can be concluded from the conflict.

 1st- Iran’s growing risk appetite in an increasingly volatile and violent West Asia.

2nd- America’s strategic reluctance

3rd- Israel’s near total dependency on the United States for its security.

Israel, Iran and the US leaders. (left to right)

BIDEN DOCTRINE

Joe Biden the US president has given his support in full swing to Israel after the historic 7th October attract on Israel by Hamas. While it maintained stable ties with the Arab countries, the situation with Iran was not that good. The US was very well aware that Iran would definitely attack after Israel had attacked the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Syria. However, The US did not at all want a war with Iran and also knew that if Israel retaliated, it would lead to a regional war which would definitely involve the US and could not stay out. Biden also clearly told Mr. Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel that the US will not support any attack carried by Israel on Iran. By this situation, it was expected that Israel might also have directly attacked Iran but couldn’t do so because the war at Gaza was unfinished and it definitely required US assistance. 

THE AYOTALLAH CALCULUS.

Iran has very rightfully analysed the situation. Iran’s nuclear programme continues to expand and its proxies continue to strengthen its muscles. Although the embassy attack seems to be the trigger for its direct attack, Iran is well aware that it has better strategic ties with Russia and China and also that the US is not in a situation to get involved in another war in West Asia especially when China and Russia are directly challenging US leadership. Israel’s war with Gaza has also weakened its situation in the region. There is also a case of genocide in The International Court of Justice against Israel. At present Iran is the only country in the region to have launched drone attacks against the US and two of its major allies.

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DISCLAIMER- THIS ARTICLE IS JUST AN EXPLANATION OF THE EDITORIAL ARTICLE OF THE HINDU, IT IS IN NO WAY A REPLICA OF THE ARTICLE OR ANYTHING IN THE NEWSPAPER. THE PURPOSE OF THE ARTICLE IS TO SPREAD KNOWLEDGE OF THE EDITORIALS IN A SIMPLER MANNER, SO IT IS EASY FOR THE MIND.