Middle East on the Brink: Is Washington Fueling the Israel-Iran Fire?

War, often portrayed as a tool of last resort, has once again reared its head in the volatile landscape of the Middle East. On the morning of June 22, 2025, the United States launched coordinated strikes on three of Iran’s key nuclear sites Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. Shortly after the attacks, President Trump declared that Iran’s nuclear facilities had been “neutralized” and its atomic capabilities effectively dismantled. These rapid escalations have plunged the region into a new phase of open conflict, raising pressing questions about the legality and legitimacy of preemptive strikes under international law. Iran, a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), has long claimed its uranium enrichment program is for peaceful purposes. Yet, even as diplomatic negotiations were ongoing, military action has replaced dialogue. This not only constitutes a possible violation of the UN Charter and international norms but also sets a dangerous precedent that threatens to unravel the global non-proliferation regime and destabilize the broader international order.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Arghchi condemned the US strike on Iran as outrageous and said Iran reserved all the rights to protect its sovereignty. During his appearance on the TV he stated that Trump was elected because of his strategy to end America’s costly involvement in war; however, he not only betrayed Iran by abusing our commitment to diplomacy but also deceived his voters and favored Israel regime’s objectives. He further stated that Iran would continue its Uranium enrichment program for peaceful purposes and the US has violated the UN charter as a member of the UN Security Council.

According to Iranian state TV, in retaliation, Iran has targeted Israel’s several sites including Ben Gurion Airport, support bases, command and control centers, and a biological research Centre. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced the attack was carried out using long-range missiles. Therefore, US involvement in the Israel-Iran war has triggered the conflict and this will have far-reaching implications not only for the Middle East region but also for the International world. Iran is a weaker state as compared to Israel which has the support of not only US but also Europe, UK and other states. Despite this Iran is committed to defending its soil from every aggression and will use all available options and will not surrender. Now the question arises was it United States’ greatest blunder to jump into the escalated conflict instead of resolving it peaceful because regime change is entirely a state’s own policy and no country has a right to dictate how to govern as per international law.

The US strike on Iran’s nuclear sites has yielded little in terms of strategic gains. Despite targeting Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, Iran’s critical nuclear fuel cycle infrastructure sustained only limited damage, and its nuclear program remains largely intact. Rather than being deterred, Iran is expected to continue its enrichment efforts and now, reports suggest that several countries may be willing to assist Iran with access to nuclear warheads. Formerly praised as a “President of Peace,” Donald Trump has dragged the United States into yet another war. Meanwhile, Israel finds itself under heavy attack, with explosions shaking cities and widespread panic among the population. Far from collapsing, Iran’s political leadership has not only survived the assault but appears to have emerged stronger. Domestic opposition to the Supreme Leader has faded, replaced by a surge of national unity. The U.S is now deeply entangled in a new Middle Eastern conflict, and the possibility of a full-scale ground operation is growing by the day.

Iran is taking measured and strategic steps to strengthen its position in the region, moves that are likely to have a significant and lasting impact on the regional balance of power. Iranian parliament approved a measure to close the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20% of global oil and gas flows. It is a narrow shipping route in the Gulf region, that is one of the world’s most important shipping routes. It’s deep enough for the world’s biggest crude oil tankers and is used by the major oil and gas producers in the Middle East and their customers. Its closure now will disrupt oil exports from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Iraq, and Iran, causing significant strain on major importing nations like China, India, and Japan. Iran may also withdraw from the Non-Proliferation Treaty and continue its nuclear enrichment program. Jordan urged to cancel Israel gas deal after supply halted amid Israel- Iran war.

US lawmakers and American citizen have condemned the Trump’s strike on Iran and called unconstitutional decision to bomb Iran without Congressional approval. Various analysts and policy makers criticized the US military intervention as a betrayal of Trump’s America First strategy that got him re-elected. UN Chief Antonio Guterres also calls the US move a “dangerous escalation”.  The UN Security Council will hold an emergency session on 23^rd June, 2025 to address US strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, prompted by requests from Russia, China, and Iran’s UN representative. Turkey, china, Russia, Pakistan and other Muslim States have condemned the escalating situation in the Middle East region and requested the both states to address the issues through negotiations.

The US decision to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities has not only intensified the conflict in the Middle East but has also triggered a global crisis with sweeping legal, economic, and strategic consequences. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz threatens to paralyze global energy markets, while Iran’s possible withdrawal from the Non-Proliferation Treaty marks a dangerous unraveling of the international nuclear order. Far from achieving regime change or containment, the US has reinvigorated Iran’s domestic unity, emboldened its regional strategy, and undermined the credibility of international law. As the UN convenes in emergency session, the world stands at a crossroads: return to diplomacy and multilateralism, or descend further into an era of unrestrained militarism and geopolitical fragmentation. The cost of this conflict will not be borne by the Middle East alone-it will reverberate across continents, economies, and generations.

The author is an independent researcher specializing in South Asian security, the Middle East, Afghanistan, and the Indo-Pacific region. Her work focuses on geopolitical developments, strategic affairs, and regional conflict dynamics.