The ongoing war between Israel and Iran is deeply entangled in the geopolitical, economic, and strategic interests of multiple global powers and regional players, particularly the United States, Israel,Russia, China, and various Arab countries. Therefore, interpreting this conflict merely as a religious war between Islam and Judaism, or between Islam and disbelief، is an extremely immature and non-political perspective. Let us attempt to understand the viewpoints, interests, and potential consequences of this war clearly and comprehensively.
On the surface, Iran presents itself as an Islamic state standing against Zionism and Israel, portraying this conflict as a religious struggle. This is done to influence the perception of ordinary and less-informed people, encouraging them to see the war as a battle between Islam and Zionism. In reality, however, Iran considers its primary regional adversaries to be Saudi Arabia and other Sunni Arab states, not Israel. The core of this conflict lies in a struggle for regional dominance in the Middle East, particularly over control of oil wealth and supply routes.
Direct conflict with Arab states, such as the one Iran had with Iraq in the past, does not garner Iran the emotional or ideological support it desires. Therefore, Iran strategically frames Israel and Zionism as its primary enemies to rally broader Muslim sympathy and support under the banner of defending Islam. But if Iran’s war were truly against Zionism, then what justification was there for its war against Iraq?
This issue must be viewed not emotionally or superficially, but rather through the lens of strategic, economic, and global interests. The Middle East is rich in oil, gas, and other natural resources, which makes it a focal point for international powers and regional competition. Iran seeks recognition as a dominant force and guardian of the region, especially because a significant portion of global oil trade passes through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic chokepoint under Iran’s watch.
On the other hand, Arab countries, which supply oil to the U.S. and World, want global powers like the U.S. to value and protect their interests over Iran’s. Thus, this is essentially a war for control over oil wealth and its distribution, rather than a religious war. It should be understood as a political, economic, and strategic conflict involving Iran, Arab states, the United States, and Israel, rather than a war between Islam and disbelief.
Sindhi national activists and youth should avoid falling into emotional or superficial interpretations. Instead, they should analyse the situation in terms of global and regional powers’ strategic and economic interests.
The U.S. considers Iran a threat because Iran opposes the Arab states that supply oil to the United States. But, not all Arab countries are allies of the U.S. for instance, Syria has long resisted American influence. Hence, the U.S. seeks to expand its control over the entire Middle East to safeguard its economic interests.
By fostering relations between Israel and certain Arab countries, the U.S. aims to ensure Israel’s protection and integrate it further into the regional political order. This serves
America’s economic goals, especially considering the significant influence of Jewish capital in the U.S. economy. Therefore, the American support for Israel is not ideological but rooted in its national and economic interests, just as Iran’s opposition to Arab states is based on its own strategic and economic goals. The same is true for Arab countries opposing Iran based on their national interests.
No one should misinterpret this conflict as a religious war and mislead themselves. The U.S. is supporting Israel not only to protect it but also to weaken Iran, while simultaneously strengthening Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other Arab nations. This does not mean the U.S. is serving Islam in any way. Absolutely not.
To better understand the complexity of this war, it is crucial to examine the role of other global powers, whether directly or indirectly involved, and their national, political, and strategic interests.
Russia, which is a close and important ally of Iran in the region, played a pivotal role during a critical situation you all may remember—when Iran-backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was under immense pressure from US-backed rebels. At that time, Russia was the only country that offered refuge to Assad, Iran’s ally, which clearly indicates that Russia and the US are engaged in indirect wars and confrontations in different parts of the world, such as the Ukraine conflict, where Russia is fighting against the US and NATO countries.
Due to these global rivalries, Russia needs a reliable ally in the Middle East—one that can support its regional interests. Because of the ongoing conflict of interests between Russia and the US in this region, Russia firmly stands behind Iran, just like the US firmly stands behind Israel.
Now the situation has become quite clear: if Iran claims this war is for Islam, then are Russia and China, who are strongly supporting Iran, also fighting a war for Islam? Of course not. In reality, every country is pursuing its own national and economic interests. We know well that during recent missile and drone exchanges between Iran and Israel, Iran launched thousands of missiles against Israel, but they only killed one person, and that person was an Arab Palestinian, accidentally hit by an Iranian missile.
However, now that Russia and China have provided Iran with modern technology and defence systems, it is reported that Iran has shot down two advanced American fighter jets (F-35s), which was only made possible with Russian and Chinese technological support. This means that Russia and China are using Iran as a proxy to fight the US, just as the US is supporting Ukraine to weaken Russia.
Russia is openly supporting Iran against the US and Israel to retaliate for the support the US has given Ukraine in the war against Russia. This shows that the current war is not a religious one but a geopolitical and regional power struggle.
Iran, by invoking the name of Islam, is emotionally manipulating ordinary people, much like the Punjabis are emotionally exploiting the name of Islam to oppress and enslave Sindhis, Balochs, and other nationalities. So, can we really believe that the Punjabis are serving Islam by enslaving others in the name of Islam? Absolutely not!
It is also important to remember that Russia is one of the world’s largest oil producers. This war will likely cause oil prices to rise and reduce supply from the Middle East, which will directly benefit Russia as it can sell its oil more easily around the world. On the other hand, the US will be harmed by rising oil prices and reduced supply. That’s why the US is supporting Israel, but very cautiously and in a limited manner, because it does not want this conflict to turn into a prolonged war.
There are internal disagreements within the US as well about not letting the war escalate beyond a certain point. Russia, China, and Iran understand this. If Russia and China continue to empower Iran and make it successful against the US and Israel, American influence in the region and globally will weaken, while Russian and Chinese influence will grow. This is why the US, despite helping Israel, is not in favour of a prolonged war.
Israel, however, sees this as its last chance to eliminate Iran’s nuclear capability. Otherwise, Israel will lose its role as the regional “watchdog.” Russia, for its part, wants to use this conflict to retaliate for the Ukraine war by giving the US a lesson. At the same time, Russia also understands that a weakened Iran would result in weakened Russian interests in the region.
China’s Role and Interests in the Middle East Conflict
China, too, has strategic interests in the Middle East, especially tied to the success of its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It needs stability in the region, greater conflict would jeopardise its infrastructure investments and diminish Washington’s influence, which Beijing seeks to reduce. Therefore, China looks to support Iran diplomatically to resolve the conflict while preserving relations with both Iran and Israel, all to undermine U.S. dominance.
Both China and the United States are actively competing in West and Central Asia for military, economic, and strategic superiority. China aims for global trade dominance and will oppose any prolonged war that threatens its interests. The Iran–Israel conflict has now evolved into a platform for global strategic and economic competition. The U.S. pressures Iran, Russia works to reduce American influence in the region, and China monitors developments to secure its energy needs.
A sustained conflict would empower U.S. allies but would also create opportunities for Russia and China, such as rising oil prices or restricted energy supplies, none of which would serve American interests. For that reason, the U.S. and Israel aim to decisively dismantle Iran’s nuclear, military, and regional power, especially Iran’s proxy influence in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen, which poses a threat to them.
Their strategy may involve weakening Iran, possibly even shifting the regime through internal change. Israel might consider targeting the political leadership to demoralise the regime. But if Iran remains strong, the U.S. and Israel would still seek a weakened Iran to strengthen their own alliances (e.g., Israel, Saudi Arabia) and curb Russian and Chinese influence in the region.
Similarly, Russia would prefer America to be drawn deeper into this conflict, akin to the Ukraine war, to divert U.S. attention and resources. This is a struggle of global powers driven by political, economic, and strategic interests, not a religious war.
Where do our Sindhi national interests lie? We need to consider this conflict in terms of our own interests rather than getting swept away by emotional or religious slogans. We currently find ourselves trapped in an artificial and Unnatural state like Pakistan, and the global powers that support Pakistan militarily, economically, and politically are not aligned with our interests.
Shafi Burfat
Chairman
Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz, JSMM
Germany