Iran at War for Forty Years, even sanctions

The destruction of Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and Syria stands as a clear mirror for Iran’s possible future conspiracies

By Masroor Ali Siyal

For more than four decades, Iran has remained the target of continuous war, pressure, and conspiracies. Ongoing protests or resistance inside Iran, if manipulated, could prove disastrous in the future. Under the shadow of the Iranian people’s long struggle and sacrifices, US imperialism is once again attempting to retrieve the remnants of Reza Shah Pahlavi from the dustbin of history and reimpose them upon the Iranian people. This would not merely be a change of government, but the emergence of a new form of slavery, repression, and authoritarian domination.

Imperialist intervention in Iran, along with its local and regional proxies, risks creating a catastrophic situation. The destruction of Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and Syria stands as a clear mirror in which Iran’s possible future can be seen if such conspiracies succeed.

The tragedy of this historic moment is that the current protests in Iran lack a well-organized revolutionary force capable of transforming the Iranian working masses into a decisive, united, anti-capitalist, and anti-imperialist power. If the present Iranian government were to be defeated either as a result of popular movements or under the cover of imperialist intervention, the forces waiting to replace it would be even more pro-imperialist, anti-people, and destabilizing for the entire region.

Thus, a destabilized Iran could take the shape of yet another regional catastrophe—unless the pendulum of history once again swings toward genuine Iranian revolutionary forces, and unless the Iranian people decisively reject not only clerical authoritarianism but also capitalism, feudalism, and imperialism altogether. Only then can Iran move toward a truly popular, free, and sovereign future.

The 1979 Islamic Revolution: A Global Shock

The Islamic Revolution of 1979 was not merely the overthrow of a monarchy; it was an ideological, political, and strategic earthquake for the global imperialist system. When Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was overthrown under the leadership of Imam Khomeini, the entire regional order maintained by the United States, Europe, and their allied Arab monarchies was thrown into crisis.

The slogan “Neither East nor West, only Islam” was an open and direct challenge to Washington and Western hegemony.

1980: War Imposed on Iran

Barely a year after the revolution, in September 1980, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was pushed forward to launch an attack on Iran. Historical records show that the United States, Britain, France, Germany, and Gulf monarchies provided Iraq with billions of dollars in financial aid, advanced weaponry, and intelligence support.

From 1983 to 1988, chemical weapons were used against Iran—facts later acknowledged in United Nations reports and Western documents. The eight-year war (1980–1988) claimed millions of lives, yet Iran not only defended its borders but also preserved and strengthened its Islamic system.

The Era of Sanctions: From 1995 Onward

After failing militarily, imperial powers turned to economic warfare. In 1995, US President Bill Clinton imposed severe economic sanctions on Iran. Between 2006 and 2010, further sanctions were enforced through the United Nations under the pretext of Iran’s nuclear program.

In 2018, US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA nuclear agreement and imposed some of the harshest sanctions in history, aimed at paralyzing Iran’s economy and provoking the public against the state.

The Reverse Impact of Sanctions

History’s great irony is that the very sanctions intended to bend Iran instead pushed it toward self-reliance. Since the early 2000s, Iran has made remarkable advances in defense production, ballistic missile technology, drone systems, and nuclear science.

After the assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in a US drone strike in January 2020, Iran launched missile attacks on the Ain al-Asad US military base. This marked the first time since World War II that a state directly targeted a US military base.

Direct Confrontation with the Zionist State

Between 2020 and 2024, targeted killings of Iranian nuclear scientists, attacks on military leadership, and cyber warfare pushed tensions between Iran and Israel to extreme levels. In a recent direct military confrontation, Iran forced the enemy to retreat within just twelve days, with ceasefire appeals emerging from the other side. This event signaled a major shift in the balance of power in the Middle East.

Attempts at Internal Destabilization

Weakening Iran from within has long been a core imperial strategy. From the 2009 “Green Movement” to the protests of 2017, 2019, and recent unrest, the same pattern is evident. Attacks on mosques, the Holy Qur’an, and sacred shrines have no connection with Shi‘a or Sunni beliefs. History shows that such acts are typical methods of foreign agendas and hired networks.

Inflation: Reality or Weapon?

Inflation and economic hardship in Iran are real, and protest is a legitimate right of every citizen. However, no country can endure four decades of sanctions and war pressure without economic consequences. When threats of external military attacks accompany protests driven by inflation, it strengthens the suspicion that the objective is not reform but destabilization.

The Global Landscape: Toward 2030

Weakening Iran is not merely Iran’s problem. For China, Iran is a vital link in the Belt and Road Initiative; for Russia, Iran serves as a natural barrier against NATO’s expanding influence. Therefore, a major war against Iran could draw China and Russia into the conflict, triggering a dangerous global confrontation.

As the world rapidly moves toward a multipolar system by 2030, Iran is emerging not just as a state of resistance, but as a key pillar in the new global balance of power. History bears witness that nations with the capacity for long-term resistance cannot be defeated. Iran today remains a living example of this enduring truth.