Iran-Israel Conflict Sparks Global Concerns

Image Credit: Mehrshad Rajabi via Unsplash

Iran promised to respond to the destruction of their consulate in Damascus in a missile attack from Israel – and they delivered. Questions surround the exact implications of these actions, but it will inevitably lead to a further humanitarian crisis.

On Monday 1st April, an Israeli airstrike hit the consulate of Iran in Damascus, Syria. Amongst the casualties were two commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp (IRGC). This attack followed another Israeli airstrike which killed dozens of people in the Syrian city of Aleppo. In retaliation, Iran fired more than three-hundred drones and missiles, the majority of which were intercepted by Israel’s air defence system. Jordan also intercepted some of the missiles targeting Israel as they were flying through Jordanian airspace. Explosions were heard in cities across Israel, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. 

The succession of these actions has raised the threat of a wider regional conflict, especially amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, and incited widespread reactions. Notably, protestors took to the streets of Tehran to protest Israel’s attack on Iran, and political figures expressed their disapproval as well. For instance, the Ambassador to Iran, Hossein Akbari said that Tehran’s would respond in a “decisive” manner. This sentiment was echoed by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Nasser Kanani, who argued that Iran retains the right to respond and “will decide on the type of response and the punishment of the aggressor”. The attack was also condemned by the The Iranian mission to the United Nations, who deemed the action a “flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter” and “international law”.

The succession of these actions has raised the threat of a wider regional conflict, especially amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, and incited widespread reactions. 

Russia’s Foreign Ministry also joined in the condemnation of Israel in a statement that expressed they, “strongly condemn this unacceptable attack against the Iranian consular mission in Syria”. Other nations condemning Israel’s attack include Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. A spokesperson for the United States said that Washington was “concerned about anything that would be escalatory or cause an increase in conflict in the region”.

Iran’s mission to the United Nations implied in a social media post that any Iranian retaliation to the Israeli assault on the Iranian consulate in Damascus could have been prevented if the UN Security Council had denounced Israel’s attack. Furthermore, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations said its attack on Israel was “entirely in the exercise of Iran’s inherent right to self-defence”.

Iran’s mission to the United Nations implied in a social media post that any Iranian retaliation to the Israeli assault on the Iranian consulate in Damascus could have been prevented if the UN Security Council had denounced Israel’s attack.

The Israeli attack and the Iranian retaliation heightened tensions of a regional war in the Middle east. As such, the German Federal Foreign office wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter,  that, “avoiding further regional escalation must be in everyone’s interest”. On their part, the United States reiterated its pledge to Israel with US President Joe Biden saying their “commitment to Israel’s security against these threats from Iran and its proxies is iron-clad”.

In the aftermath of Iran’s retaliation, Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister to Israel said they “will win” in a social media post. “Our defensive systems are deployed. We are ready for any scenario, both defensively and offensively. The State of Israel is strong”. He thanked the United States and United Kingdom for “standing alongside” Israel.

Strong condemnation of Iran’s actions promptly followed the attack. For instance, British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, condemned Iran for its “regime’s reckless attack on Israel”. Many countries describe the attacks as a serious escalation, with potentially widespread consequences for the region. 

Global airlines have cancelled flights and changed routes amidst the attacks: Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon resumed air traffic operations after a temporary closure in response to Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel. On its part, Israel reopened its airspace on Sunday. 

The international community has consistently issued statements advising Israel against responding to Iran’s retaliation, warning of further escalation of the conflict as a direct counter-strike poses the risk of triggering a broader regional war that would see the involvement of Western powers siding with Israel. This approach differs from the position taken by the West regarding Israel’s assault on Gaza. 

The international community has consistently issued statements advising Israel against responding to Iran’s retaliation, warning of further escalation of the conflict as a direct counter-strike poses the risk of triggering a broader regional war that would see the involvement of Western powers siding with Israel. This approach differs from the position taken by the West regarding Israel’s assault on Gaza.

Responding to pressure from United Kingdom Foreign Secretary David Cameron, Netanyahu asserted Israel’s autonomy in making its own decisions. Considering Netanyahu’s recent actions, there is a high likelihood that Israel will retaliate militarily. US President Joe Biden urged Netanyahu to “take the win,” to prevent a damaging war in the Middle East, one that the United States and many other Israeli allies would feel obligated to join. Israeli forces have been responsible for the deaths of nearly 34,000 Palestinians since October 7th, indicating that Netanyahu is unlikely to let a direct assault from Iran pass without a response that would further exacerbate the ongoing humanitarian crisis.