The rapidly deteriorating situation between Iran and Israel has entered a dangerous new phase. As the conflict entered its second day on Saturday, the prospect of peace and de-escalation grew even dimmer. What began with Israel’s provocative and deadly strikes on key Iranian cities has now turned into a worrying cycle of retaliation, raising fears of a broader regional war that could engulf multiple nations and send economic and security tremors across the globe.
Israel’s strikes on Friday, which reportedly killed senior Iranian military officials and scientists, were met with Tehran’s swift response in the form of coordinated missile and drone barrages. While the extent of the damage on Israeli soil remains contested, what is clear is that the region has now crossed a threshold that makes return to diplomacy increasingly difficult.
Perhaps most concerning is the growing role of the United States in this conflict. Reports suggest Washington not only supplied hundreds of missiles to Israel ahead of the attack but also assisted in shooting down incoming Iranian missiles. Tehran has responded by warning that it will target American, British, and French military bases in the region if they directly participate in Israel’s defence. This is a perilous path — one that risks drawing the world’s major powers into another protracted and bloody Middle Eastern war.
In this context, serious questions must be asked of President Donald Trump. Though he has repeatedly branded himself a “man of peace,” his inaction in preventing this crisis and his administration’s tacit support of Israeli aggression have exposed the hollowness of that claim. As Israel, armed and emboldened by American support, continues its offensive, any call by the US for dialogue with Tehran appears deeply hypocritical and disingenuous.
Equally disturbing are the hollow appeals of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has called on Iranians to overthrow their government under the guise of seeking “freedom.” This comes as Israeli forces are actively targeting and killing Iranian civilians, much as they have done for months in Gaza. These double standards expose the dangerous logic behind Tel Aviv’s war narrative.
As the drums of war grow louder, regional states — including Pakistan — must prepare for the fallout. The geopolitical shockwaves will not be confined to the battlefields. Energy supplies, trade routes, and public safety across the Middle East and beyond hang in the balance. Pakistan, in particular, must take proactive steps to safeguard its citizens in Iran, especially zaireen, and to protect its economic interests.
The world is once again at a crossroads. If this conflict is not urgently curtailed through diplomacy and international pressure, the consequences may be too grave to bear.
