How America itself is making Iran stronger
photo collected
Deterrence, military pressure, missiles, nuclear risk—some of the familiar words we usually hear when talking about a US-Israeli war over Iran. These are certainly important; But only this language does not understand the whole picture.
How Iran is actually fighting; And more than that, to understand how it survives, we need to go inside. Enter not only the battlefield, but also the world of faith. Because, this state is not only an administrative structure; It is based on a special concept of Shia theology – martyrdom, and ‘holy resistance’.
War is not just about weapons. War is fought with stories, with faith; And also by how people are being understood.
No Jewish State Lasts 80 Years—It’s important to understand the scene across the country after Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in an attack during the feared Israeli holy month of Ramadan. There are continuous mourning ceremonies, bombs are falling, but the mourning does not stop. A large section of Islamic Republic loyalists (especially Basij forces) still believe they are fighting for a ‘divine’ regime. Because of this, they are ready to give their lives if needed.
A misconception needs to be broken here. Many people think that the more pressure from outside, the weaker this state will be. The reality can sometimes be the opposite. External shocks sometimes reawaken the old vigor of the system which has sustained it for so long.
In the face of the valley of death, what is the Pentagon ‘wrong’ again? The great source of this power is a deep memory of Shia history. And that is the battle of Karbala in 680 AD. Imam Hussain (R.A.), the grandson of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (R.A.), was martyred there against injustice. This event is not just history—it is a symbol. The struggle of justice against injustice, standing by the truth even in the face of hardship, and sacrificing oneself when necessary—these are all symbols.
This is why ‘martyrs’ are so important in the politics of the Islamic Republic. They want to present themselves as a ‘just state’ that
The state is fighting against imperialism, humiliation and foreign aggression.
There are many Iranians who do not like the Islamic Republic. But they also get angry when they see foreign attacks. Then the issue is no longer just government versus people—it becomes ‘country versus outside power’. And this place can be used best by the state. Now where is the problem? The problem is – a state that values self-sacrifice so much that if it is hurt, that hurt can instead become its strength. What looks like destruction from outside, inside is called ‘sacrifice’, ‘endurance’, ‘proof of faith’. even death. Death also becomes a kind of political force there.
Iran’s strategy at the moment is very much the same — hold back, bide your time, tire out the enemy. And to hope that Washington and his allies will eventually run out of patience.
Another thing comes into play here. That is nationalism. There are many Iranians who do not like the Islamic Republic. But they also get angry when they see foreign attacks. Then the issue is no longer just government versus people—it becomes ‘country versus outside power’. And this place can be best used by the state.
Clausewitz-Theory on Iran War: Trump-Netanyahu’s historic blunder during this government’s weakness is evident. Corruption, oppression, economic problems then come in front of everyone. But when the war started, the picture changed. Then they presented themselves. Then the government presented itself not as a ‘repressor’ but as a ‘protector of the country’.
It’s true, not everyone believes this story. There is discontent inside Iran, and support is waning. But a political idea does not need everyone’s faith to survive. Need some believing people, some institutions, some fear; Another ongoing conflict.
This is why the current war is dangerous not only militarily but also morally and politically. If the United States and Israel think that excessive force will break the Islamic Republic, they may be miscalculating.
The religious aspect is important here. This war is not only for religion. But religion provides a language through which suffering can be given political meaning.
Hossein Dabbagh is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Northeastern University London
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