Iran, Gaza, and the Fall of Regional Sovereignty
From Gaza to Iran, a disturbing pattern is unfolding—a pattern of destruction, domination, and denial of sovereignty. After the thunder of bombs over Gaza, Israel, backed by the United States, has now turned its attention toward Iran. The question is no longer if, but who’s next?
The United States, while appearing to stay behind the curtain, has long been the backbone of Israel. It is now playing its geopolitical games by propping up Israel and directing events from the shadows. After all, how could a global superpower be directly involved in yet another war? And if not complicit, why can’t it stop a war between two sovereign nations? Remember how tensions between India and Pakistan de-escalated following a single phone call from the most powerful president in the world? The picture is clear. But do Middle Eastern countries genuinely care?
Unlike the war on Gaza, the Israel-Iran conflict has America’s direct involvement. Former President Trump has demanded the “unconditional surrender” of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He even claimed the U.S. knows the leader’s whereabouts but won’t target him—at least not yet. In response, Khamenei warned that any U.S. attack in support of Israel would bring irreparable consequences.
The Trump-Netanyahu alliance has presented Iran with two options: surrender and submit—or be bombed into submission. But what of international law? What of human rights, women’s rights, and, most critically, the sovereignty of Iran? The U.S. claims its aim is to replace Iran’s theocratic government with a democratic one. But who gave Washington the right to dictate the form of governance in another sovereign state? Iran belongs to its people. Only they have the right to decide who governs them.
The real question remains unanswered: What does the U.S. truly want? A regime change in Iran? Or a war that leads to complete dismantling? If regime change was the goal, why did the conflict begin with aggression? And if war is the intention, why demand surrender first?
This is not new. The U.S. has historically targeted regimes that opposed its policies or refused to serve its interests. Consider the cases of Ecuadorian President Jaime Roldós and Panamanian leader Omar Torrijos. Both resisted U.S. influence and were assassinated under suspicious circumstances. Roldós dismantled the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL) and banned foreign meddling in Ecuador—only to die in a mysterious plane crash in May 1981. Torrijos, who predicted he would suffer the same fate, met a similar end in July that year. Both incidents were allegedly orchestrated by the CIA.
Now, the same blueprint is being replicated in Iran. But is it limited to Iran? Or is this part of a broader plan to redraw the geopolitical map of the Middle East?
If Iran resists, it risks the fate of Iraq, Syria, and Yemen—nations devastated by U.S.-backed military operations. Iran’s leadership has made its position clear: war will be met with war, bombing with bombing, and strike with strike. Iran will not bow to any foreign dictate. The consequences will extend far beyond its borders.
The Zionist vision seems set on reshaping the Middle East—not through diplomacy or consensus, but through destruction. From Gaza to Iran, and soon perhaps to other nations in the region, the Zionist project continues, unchecked. They will not stop unless faced with a united, determined resistance.
It’s time for the Middle East to awaken and stand shoulder to shoulder with Iran. The international community—particularly the UN, China, Russia, and regional powers—must treat this crisis with the seriousness it demands. This is no longer just Iran’s fight; it is a battle for regional autonomy, dignity, and survival.
If this continues, another country may be next.
The world must not wait until every voice of resistance is silenced. The time has come for a united front—before the Middle East is reshaped not by its people, but by foreign powers.
Rehman Yar
The writer is a student of Public Policy at Government College University, Lahore.
