Distinct and Contrasting Historical Narratives for Iran and Israel, Concerning Conflict and Nuclear Capabilities

“The portrayal of Iran as irrational and suicidal has served as a justification for preemptive action, while Israel’s opaque nuclear posture is tolerated, if not endorsed, by the very powers that demand transparency from Iran.” ~ Trita Parsi

“Israel’s policy of nuclear opacity—never confirming, never denying—has been a cornerstone of its security doctrine, even as it condemns Iran’s nuclear ambitions as existential threats.” ~ Avner Cohen

“Iran has not attacked any country in over two centuries. Compare that to Israel’s history of aggression, occupation, and its clandestine development of nuclear weapons with impunity.” ~ Mohammad Javad Zarif

“The obsession with Iran’s potential nuclear capability ignores the fact that Israel is the only country in the region with an actual nuclear arsenal, exempt from inspections and international scrutiny.” ~ Noam Chomsky

For decades, Israel's military actions as an extension of American imperialism in the Middle East has raised serious concerns, not only for its immediate neighbours, but for anyone who cares about international law, human rights, and global security. What we’re witnessing is a pattern, repeated military aggression which includes ethnic cleansing and genocidal aggression, a lack of accountability, and a troubling double standard in how international norms are applied.

Take Iran, for example, in Western media, Iran is portrayed as a looming nuclear threat, but the reality it is far from the truth. Iran is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and has allowed international inspectors from the IAEA to monitor its nuclear activities. Despite enduring punishing sanctions by the USA, and Israeli military cyberattacks, and even the assassination of its scientists, military generals, and politicians, Iran has largely remained within the framework of international agreements meant to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.

Now contrast that with Israel. It’s an open secret that Israel possesses nuclear weapons, some estimates range from 200 to 400 warheads, but it has never signed the NPT. Its nuclear facilities remain off-limits to inspectors. This policy of “nuclear ambiguity,” supported by the United States and other allies, shields Israel from the scrutiny applied to others.

This imbalance is not just illegal legal, it’s a moral and ethical crisis

Over the years, Israel has engaged in covert operations, assassinations, and preemptive threats against Iran, actions that are well-documented. And all the while, Israel has framed Iran as the primary existential threat, distracting from its own arsenal, regional interventions and imperialistic ambitions.

Israel’s military actions throughout the region have repeatedly crossed lines

In 1982, during the invasion of Lebanon, even President Ronald Reagan described Israel’s bombing campaign as a “holocaust,” citing the horrific deaths of civilians, including children. More recently, in Gaza, a place many now describe as an open-air prison, Israel’s military operations have devastated civilian populations. On January 26, 2024, the International Court of Justice determined that Israel is committing acts of genocide there.

And yet, Israel faces little to no real consequences. The American political establishment shield Israel from accountability, and mainstream narratives often soften or obscure the brutal realities on the ground.

This double standard, where one state operates with near impunity while others are held to the letter of international law, undermines the legitimacy of the entire global order. It tells the world that some lives matter more than others, With the political and military support of the United States of America and Western Europe, Israel is above the rules that everyone else is expected to follow.

When you have Congress, men and women senators, and House of Representatives not having a clue about the Middle East, including senator Cruz who's advocating for United States and Israel to bomb or possibly nuke Iran and the senator has no clue about a simple fact of the population of Iran or the ethnic diversity of Iran or the history of Iran. Many of these powerful politicians only think of wealth, money, material goods, political, social and economic power, and many not at the least self-educate themselves on the different countries around the world that they negatively affect, they would possibly make more sane semi-intelligent decisions if they truly understood other peoples—socially, politically, economically, and psychologically.

If we are serious about peace, about justice, and about building a more stable peaceful and prosperous world, then we must be willing to confront these contradictions.

https://youtube.com/shorts/Isu2JXGJHFA?si=VIa4ZOc4BiaGDLKh

https://youtube.com/shorts/mudtqjlIjrA?si=f5oFeZ1-CYTqyysR

https://youtu.be/e1h5kshVfAM?si=5MqMe0fhTswJqaz3

https://youtube.com/shorts/DV-Iwd3Cj\_M?si=cIy2gDIfSLcK5nmf

https://www.thenationalnews.com/opinion/comment/2024/10/10/ronald-reagan-menachem-begin-israel-beirut-biden-gaza/