“The Ceasefire is in effect. Please do not violate.”
– President Donald Trump, POTUS (Truth Social)
The Iran-Israel Discord: An Introduction
It was way back in the year 1979 that Iran’s pro-western leader, Mohammed Reza Shah, who regarded the United States of America and Israel as one of his greatest allies, was swept away from power, after long decades and centuries of rule over the Iranian country. This was due to the internal religious revivalist movement that was taking place in Iran, and surprisingly made Israel and the United States of America (formerly the best of allies of Iran), its arch enemies in the larger geopolitical dynamics of the world. World dynamics, geo-politics, power-play games, and international co-existence would never be the same again, ever.
The new Shia regime that was heralded by Shia theocracy, imposed a theological rule over Iran and significantly curtailed the existing civil liberties, imposed Sharia law as interpreted by Shia Ulemas, and became quintessentially opposite to the pro-Western stance, significantly imposing an anti-Israel ideological narrative in the domestic politics, which would further form the base for future rule and elections, consequently both siding in favour of orthodox Shia theocratical apparatus, guided by the Supreme Leader- Ayatollah. Ruhollah Khomenei was the former supreme leader of Iran, and handling all the important decisions and affairs of the State of Iran, currently is, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei-both yielding the all-powerful sword of authority and theocratical ideologies that have since been governing Iran.
Iranian Proxies- Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis: Axis of Danger for Israel
It was after this revivalist regime establishment, that Iran started setting up its proxies all over the world, trying desperately to become the world-proclaimed leader of the Islamic brotherhood. These proxies are 3H-today known, by even a layman. These are undoubtedly- Hezbollah in Lebanon, Houthis in Yemen, and Hamas in Gaza (Palestine). All three Shia proxies of Iran were an effort to group all the Shia forces in the larger region or training existing outlawed groups by Shia forces of Iran, known as the Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRG). Israel eventually came to see the two major proxies- Hamas of Gaza (Palestine) and Hezbollah (Lebanon) as two of the major enemies to its existence, consequently existential threats. This was all happening in the backdrop of Israel-Arab wars that were being ravaged by both sides, and Israel was consecutively winning in all of them, taking major territories of countries such as Palestine, Egypt, Syria, et al.
Much of Israeli military was forced to walk out of the territory of Lebanon after attacks on its military in 1982 and 1983. However, it was the attack on the military of Israel and the Jewish centre in the capital of Argentina, Beunos Aires which shocked Israel to its core. This happened in late 1990’s and forced the Israeli Mossad as well as the Israeli military to up its ante and work tirelessly for guarding the Israeli territory. But it was in the year 2002, that the news came, which left Israel shell-shocked. It was out in public that Israel’s neighbour Iran was in the process of continuation of a secret programme of uranium enrichment, which was in clear violation of international nuclear anti-proliferation treaties.
This forced Israel and other western countries such as the United States of America to heighten up their security apparatus in the region and hence cautious against the Iranian regime’s nuclear efforts. Since then, Iran and Israel have traded military strikes and artillery attacks against each other, heightening the pace in 2024 after the Hamas surprise undetected attack on the Israeli territory. This complicated the fragile peace that was being negotiated in continuing mediation between the Arab States and Israel. This surprise completely alerted Israel and thus, the war against Gaza is still continuing since the past year, with mediating efforts being undertaken by the US Government and declaring the ceasefire. However, this ceasefire is still too early to be declared as successful as there are several loopholes in the same, that can be exposed by both the sides. The inculcation of Hamas and Hezbollah in these wars by Iran against Israel complicates the whole situation. The recent June 2025 initial attacks by Israel against Iran should be seen in this comprehensive and extensive backdrop.
Israel-Iran Ceasefire: A Pointer Towards a Fragile Peace
Israel’s launching of Operation Rising Lion, against Iran in the first half of June 2025, was extensively and pin-pointedly aimed at targeting the nuclear infrastructure and scientists who were included in the building of the nuclear infrastructure. Iranian commanders, top military generals and possibly nuclear sites and surroundings were also targeted to give befitting blow in light of the existing circumstances. However, Iran also didn’t shy away from retaliating and even the civilian population of Iran gathered on the streets to support the regime in its attacks against Israel. Initial reports of Israel being successful in killing top commanders, have, however, been refuted in the past some days, because many of these commanders have made public appearances, since then, in front of the world media.
However, the subsequent entry of the United States of America, in the whole ploy complicated the matters more, with Qatar also being dragged into the whole geopolitical game. This was also because the United States of America is having certain forward bases in Qatar, which were targeted by the Iranian side. However, if news reports are to be believed, many media outlets have stated that America and Iran had already informed each other before striking each other, so as to avoid any attacks and loss of critical property, lives, civilian residential areas, and military establishments, which is exactly what has happened. However, all the three nations- Iran, Israel and the United States of America have declared their respective victories in the war that has now been abated.
However, it is hard to believe the same. Israel and America clearly entered for regime change and for destroying the nuclear facilities of Iran, both of which has not happened and the nuclear facilities of the country are completely intact (The New York Times, Times of India). Donald Trump, the present President of the United States of America has declared that he has been very successful in bringing Israel and Iran to the table and bringing them to a conclusive ceasefire, for which there have been regular claims of nomination of President Trump for Nobel Peace Prize, even with the recommendation of the present Field Marshal of Pakistan, Gen. Asif Munir, FM (Mint, the Indian Express, BBC News, the Economic Times, NDTV). This has added a new twisted turn in the whole geopolitical arena. Was this war pushed ahead by the United States of America, headed by President Trump by backing Israel against Iran, and then bringing both of them to the table to claim the Nobel Peace Prize, in addition to wrongfully declaring that Op Sindoor was abated foe the time being by himself, after talking to the Pakistani and the Indian side? This seems quite plausible, however raises questions as to how actions are taken in the world today, clearing again establishing that in international relations, only national interests are superior, and nothing else, as such.
Parting Note: The Indian Stand
While the world takes stock of the current situation and tries to adjust to the same, the Indian side has already sent out the signal that this is not the era of war and diplomacy as well as dialogue are the only way forward. It is only in situations where no other options are left that precision based military strikes should be undertaken, in order to caution the adversary against any further vicious actions. The stoppage of blocking of Strait of Hormuz has bought some respite, however, India had already calculated her other viable options for oil supply, since most of the oil in India is imported from foreign jurisdictions. It must be noted that like other previous situations whereby the Indian government had taken a diplomatic stand cautiously in such volatile situations, this time as well, India walked the diplomatic tightrope, in the best diplomatic way. However, the situation still, is volatile, and India needs to cautiously balance and calculate all her options. Rest, India being experienced in handling such situations, won’t be in any difficulty to deal with the present one as well. Jai Hind.
