The Middle East has been a stage for power struggles, ideological conflicts, and proxy wars for a long time. In mid-2025, the region is not just at the edge of escalation; it is experiencing it. The standoff between Iran and Israel has shifted from a quiet rivalry to a visible and dangerous confrontation.
This raises an important question: Is diplomacy still an option in this region, or has it lost its significance due to unilateralism, militarism, and moral hypocrisy?
Recent events have shown that Israel’s approach of preemptive aggression has moved ahead of any ideas related to diplomacy, restraint, or international law. By contrast, Iran, often seen in the West as a destabilizing force, has called for calm and warned against provocation. It has responded to clear acts of Israeli aggression with measured steps. Let’s look at the reality that major media won’t evaluate honestly.
Escalation Triggered, But by Whom?
Since April 2025, there has been a worrying increase in Israeli attacks on Syrian territory, Lebanese border towns, and notably, Iranian-related sites in Iraq and Damascus. Israel has conducted numerous airstrikes, claiming “national security” and “neutralizing threats” as justifications. Some of these strikes have resulted in civilian casualties, including children and journalists. Yet, global condemnation? There has been hardly a whisper.
On June 7, Israeli jets executed what many believe was a direct strike on an Iranian diplomatic facility in Baghdad, killing several Revolutionary Guard officers and sparking outrage across the Muslim world. Instead of reacting recklessly, Iran issued a serious warning and called for regional dialogue. It did promise retaliation if aggression continued—and it followed through.
On June 14, Iran targeted Israeli military sites in the occupied Golan Heights. This was a defensive action according to international law, not an escalation. Nonetheless, Western media described it as “Iranian provocation” and a “threat to regional peace.” The irony is striking.
Netanyahu’s Agenda: Power at the Cost of Peace
It’s essential to consider the figure behind Israel’s war push: Benjamin Netanyahu. His political survival now seems deeply linked to war. Faced with domestic corruption trials and large anti government protests earlier this year, Netanyahu has found an age-old escape—external conflict.
By restarting tensions with Iran and keeping pressure on Gaza and the West Bank, Netanyahu seeks to unite nationalists, silence dissent, and strengthen his grip on power. This strategy mirrors an authoritarian playbook—create a crisis, present yourself as the only solution, and label all criticism as disloyalty.
However, Netanyahu’s tactics are not only cynical; they are dangerous. His actions have threatened the lives of Palestinians, Lebanese civilians, and even Israelis. Iran’s response shows that the era of unchecked Israeli escalation has ended.
Iran: A Regional Power with Patience and Principles
For decades, Iran has endured sanctions, isolation, sabotage, and the assassination of its scientists. Still, its foreign policy remains focused, disciplined, and consistent.
Critics label Iran as “aggressive,” but its record tells a different tale. Iran backs resistance movements—not terrorist organizations—and opposes normalization with a regime that occupies Palestinian territories and routinely breaks international law. Iran’s position is clear: It won’t ignore Israeli violations of sovereignty.
Western Silence and Selective Morality
One of the most troubling aspects of the current crisis is the global response, or lack thereof. When Israel bombed Gaza last year, Western governments issued vague statements about “Israel’s right to defend itself.”
But when Iran defends its people or territory, the narrative shifts to “Iranian militancy.” This clear double standard reveals the emptiness of Western foreign policy in the Middle East.
The United States, Britain, and the EU have remained silent on Israeli actions while continuing to arm and fund Israel’s military efforts. The UN, once seen as a platform for justice, has become ineffective, unable to even pass a resolution demanding a ceasefire due to US vetoes. In this environment, diplomacy isn’t just missing; it is actively suppressed.
Arab World: Between Silence and Strategic Shifts
Many Arab governments, particularly those that have signed the Abraham Accords, find themselves in a difficult position. They rushed to normalize relations with Israel for economic benefits and US approval, expecting a “new Middle East.” Instead, they face an aggressive Israeli regime that disregards its neighbors, especially the Palestinians.
Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan have remained mostly quiet, issuing symbolic statements and avoiding real pressure on Israel. In contrast, Qatar, Iraq, and Algeria have taken stronger stances, openly condemning Israeli aggression and backing Iran’s right to defend its sovereignty.
The people in the region, unlike their governments, are clear in their views. Across the Muslim world, from Karachi to Casablanca, large crowds are supporting Iran and Palestine, demanding an end to occupation and calling out Western hypocrisy.
Is There Any Hope for Diplomacy?
The answer is no, at least not under the current global order. As long as Israel faces no consequences, as long as Western media controls the story, and as long as silence is traded for oil and arms deals, diplomacy will remain a distant dream.
However, Iran’s strategic patience and its regional alliances indicate a long-term vision where resistance goes beyond military action; it is also political. Tehran has called for dialogue through regional platforms like the Baghdad Conference and supports initiatives that challenge US-led coercive diplomacy.
Today, it is clear that Israel has dragged the Middle East into a deeper crisis without regard for international norms or human life. Netanyahu’s government thrives on conflict, while the Western world remains complicit.
Yet, Iran remains steadfast—not only as a nation but as a symbol of resistance against occupation, apartheid, and imperial injustice.
In this battle between propaganda and truth, silence is no longer neutrality; it is betrayal. Diplomacy may seem dead now. However, as long as nations like Iran refuse to submit and as long as people across the region demand justice, peace with dignity is still possible.
Arshad Ali
Arshad Ali is a student of International Relations and an English language instructor. With an interest in international affairs, diplomacy, and literature, he positions himself as a dynamic voice in both education and global discourse.
