Iran & the War on the West
Biden has courted anti-Israeli factions like Iran at the expense of American integrity.
Hunter Oswald
As the horrors of war continue to cast their dark shadow over the nation of Israel, Iran has made the skies even darker. Around 3:30 PM last Saturday, Iran initiated Operation “True Promise,” launching more than 200 UAVs, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles into the nation of Israel. According to the Institute of War, the three-wave attack was carried out by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC) from the western Iranian cities of Dokuh, Hormozgan Province, and Kermanshah city, Kermanshah Province. According to IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari, the attack only caused minimal structural damage to the Nevatim airbase in southern Israel.
The Iranian regime’s excuse for the unprovoked attack on Israel stems from Israel’s strike on April 1 on the Iranian consulate and embassy in Damascus, Syria. The strike killed Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, along with several of his senior deputies. At 4:47 pm, Ayatollah Khamenei posted a video on X, stating that “The malicious [Zionist] regime has made a wrong move in this case.”
“The malicious Zionist regime will be punished.”
Iran’s actions mark a new point of escalation in the region. It’s the first time Iran has directly attacked Israel, despite their historic animosity since Iran’s 1979 revolution. The attack was also assisted by Iran’s proxies, including Hezbollah, who fired Katyusha rockets at Israeli bases and shot missiles into the Golan Heights.
The International Community
Iran’s attack on Israel has been a major development in Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas. Yet the attack has also led to major concern among the international community. Prior to the attack, President Biden and American intelligence warned of Iran’s potential attack. U.S. warships traveled to the region to discourage Iran from attacking U.S. and Israeli forces. Upon Iran’s attack, American, British, Jordanian, and Israeli forces worked together to intercept Iranian drones and missiles outside of Israel’s airspace. President Biden, in a post on X, stated that “Our commitment to Israel’s security against threats from Iran and its proxies is ironclad.”
Biden met with the leaders of G7 “to coordinate a united diplomatic response” to address Iran’s latest act of aggression towards Israel. While Biden has pledged American support for Israel in light of the attack, he has told Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu that the U.S. will not join any counter-strike against Iran and not to conduct one against Iran. The attack has since led to major concern over the prospects of the real possibility of the attack turning into a larger regional war.
Gross Negligence
Some may be quick to praise the Biden administration for its actions in assisting Israel. Yet this attack demonstrates the larger failure of Biden’s handling of the mullahs in Iran. Since taking office in 2021, Biden has allowed Iran’s regime to regain its strength through negligence, lifting sanctions that deprived Iran of access to their missile stockpile and nixing the Keystone Pipeline that now gives Iran the capacity to leverage its oil supply against the U.S. and its allies. In the wake of the war in Gaza, the Biden administration sought to lift U.S. sanctions that ensured that Iran had access to $10 billion for “humanitarian” purposes despite Iran’s support for Hamas and Hezbollah.
Additionally, Biden’s calls for a ceasefire in Gaza have emboldened the Mullahs. Such calls demonstrate that America is no longer considered a trusted ally of Israel. Biden’s call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza is nothing more than an effort to court radical anti-Israeli extremists. As conservative historian Matthew Continetti says, it’s a “cynical, opportunistic, and counterproductive” move. Biden and his administration have demonstrated they would prefer to court anti-semitic and anti-Israeli factions at the expense of American integrity on the world stage, losing our alliance with the only nation that has been a beacon of hope in a region of despair.
A Dark Future
Why would Biden think that Israel would suddenly lay down its arms against barbarians? These attacks are funded by a regime that wishes to wipe Israel (and America) off the face of the earth. There is one thing that Iran’s attack has shown. Biden’s posture towards Iran has failed to secure American interests. It has opened the door for Iran’s mullahs to expand their foothold in the region. Biden’s mishandling of U.S. policy towards Israel has allowed Hamas and Hezbollah to continue attacking Israeli and U.S. civilians. Worse, they have emboldened the mullahs in Iran by allowing them to pursue their own genocidal and totalitarian ambitions.
Moving Forward
Despite Biden and his administration’s failure to stand up to Iran’s genocidal regime, we still have the chance to stand up against Iran and stand strong with Israel. If we wish to turn the tide against Iran, America must stand by “Peace through Strength.” Iran faces many weaknesses, including their reliance on oil and dependency on Putin and Xi for military assistance. America must use its economic, diplomatic, and military strength to stop the mullahs in their tracks.
We can do this by revamping our sanctions on Iran’s economy, especially its oil. America should maintain its military alliance with Israel and secure its partnerships with Arab nations like Jordan and Saudi Arabia. We must ensure our energy independence and have our allies rely on us rather than our adversaries. Israel and the world are facing a dark hour. America, with all its power and might can once again stand forth to the rescue. We can ensure that light of freedom and prosperity prevails.
About the Author
Hunter Oswald is a senior student studying political science and minoring in economics as well as national security. Hunter is a staff writer for Cogitare Magazine and contributor for the Grove City College Collegian newspaper. He has previously been a member of the Grove City Debate Team.
This past summer, Hunter Oswald interned at the American Spectator. Previously, he completed the Heritage Foundation’s Academy Program, where he studied numerous public policy issues and America’s foundational principles.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed are those of the writer alone. They do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grove City College, the Institute for Faith and Freedom, or its affiliates. They do not constitute an endorsement of any presidential candidate.