The Israeli strikes of 13th June on Iran represent yet another brazen act of aggression — executed with precision, emboldened by impunity, and wrapped in the language of “self-defence.” But beneath the surface of military action lies a deeper reality: psychological warfare, intelligence failures, regional destabilisation, and a silent, complicit global order.

  1. A Deepening Intelligence Crisis Inside Iran
    Iran has suffered too many strategic breaches in recent years. The assassination of General Qassem Soleimani. The killing of nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh. The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh. The repeated attacks on Iranian diplomatic missions, such as the consulate strike in Damascus. And now — this.

In this latest strike, Israeli drones were reportedly pre-positioned inside Iran itself, waiting to be activated remotely. This represents not just a tactical lapse but a systemic failure in counterintelligence. While this particular act — which can only be described as terrorism — may have been a one-off in terms of execution, it is very likely that Israel has other such covert operations in the pipeline. Iran must urgently identify and eliminate these internal threats before they can come to fruition. At a time when the country is being targeted from multiple fronts — militarily, economically, ideologically — the protection of its critical infrastructure, scientists, and military leadership should be a top priority.

The War for Minds: Psychological Targeting of Public Figures
Amid these attacks, it was a relief to see Professor Mohammad Marandi safe and appearing on Dialogue Works shortly after the strikes. Figures like Marandi are more than academics — they are high-value targets in the information war. The enemy would love nothing more than to neutralise or intimidate voices like his. Protecting such individuals is not merely a personal concern; it is part of the broader psychological war being waged against Iran and its allies.

This Is Not About Nukes. It’s About Regime Change.
Analysts like Scott Ritter have correctly observed: these Israeli strikes are not about stopping a nuclear programme. They are about breaking the Islamic Republic itself. What we’re seeing is a long-term campaign of attrition aimed at regime change — carried out through assassinations, economic warfare, proxy conflicts, and psychological operations.

In this context, Iran must act with absolute clarity about who and what needs to be protected. That includes the IRGC, high-ranking government officials, prominent religious figures — and above all, the Rahbar, the Supreme Leader. The enemy understands that removing or destabilising key leadership figures can paralyse the state. Iran cannot afford to allow that.

Israel’s Impunity Cannot Be Left Unchecked

If Israel continues to strike with impunity, the very concept of deterrence begins to erode. In theory, Iran could adopt similar tactics — covert operations, targeted strikes — as a means of establishing balance. But history shows that Iran, unlike its adversaries, has exercised far greater restraint and responsibility in its foreign policy. It has consistently avoided the kind of actions that amount to state terrorism. The challenge now is to establish credible deterrence through lawful, strategic, and principled means — demonstrating that Iran is neither weak nor reckless, but prepared.

Strategic Silence from Russia and China Is a Mistake
Russia and China’s muted response is not strategic wisdom — it’s strategic folly. If the Islamic Republic collapses, it won’t be the end. It will be the beginning of an even more aggressive Western push against Moscow and Beijing.

Just as China recently supported Pakistan against India, it must now step up — not just with statements, but with intelligence, cyber support, and strategic cooperation. The so-called “multipolar world” will never materialise unless powers like China and Russia act decisively before their potential allies are destroyed.

In parallel, Russia must move swiftly to bring the war in Ukraine to a close. Every month that the Ukraine conflict drags on is a month that drains Russian focus, resources, and leverage. A prolonged war only strengthens NATO’s hand and stretches Russian strategic bandwidth thin — at a time when Moscow is already facing the slow encroachment of the Western security architecture. The future of the multipolar order does not lie in endless entanglement, but in consolidation, partnership, and decisive victories.

Why Pakistan Cannot Afford to Remain Neutral
Pakistan has a dual obligation — moral and strategic. Iran is not just a neighbouring Muslim country. It is a buffer. If Iran is weakened or fragmented, the effects will immediately be felt in Balochistan, where separatist groups already receive foreign support. Regional trade routes like the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC) would be destabilised.

And let’s be blunt: Israel aided India in its war against Pakistan. It is time to return the favour.

This Isn’t Just About Iran
What’s happening now is much bigger than Iran. It is about the global order — a world increasingly governed by power, not principle. A world where the strong attack the weak, assassinate leaders, destroy sovereign infrastructure, and justify it all through media spin and diplomatic deflection.

If we don’t take a stand now, we accept a future built on impunity and destruction — one drone strike at a time.