Israel-Iran Tension Sparks Shia-Sunni Conflict Risk
The tension between Israel and Iran continues unabated, with the Israeli army asserting that it will retaliate against Iranian attacks. Over the past several months, the region has been fraught with conflict. The protracted war between Hamas and Israel in Gaza has persisted for six months, while the specter of a confrontation between Iran and Israel looms large.
Iran launched over 300 missiles and drones at Israel on the night of April 14. Israel claims to have intercepted 99 percent of these projectiles. Despite Iran’s assertion that its objectives have been achieved, Israel maintains that it will respond to the attack. This attack by Iran was purportedly in retaliation for an airstrike on its consulate in Damascus on April 1, which resulted in the death of a senior Iranian army commander.
Israeli army spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stated that they would respond at a time of their choosing. Amidst these developments, the tension between Iran and Israel is not only exacerbating regional conflicts but also exacerbating the divide between Shia and Sunni factions. Sunni-majority Gulf countries have condemned Iran’s actions and are aligning themselves with the United States and Israel.
Shia-Sunni Divide in the Middle East
The Middle East is home to over 1.5 billion Muslims, with about 20 percent residing in the region, predominantly in Gulf countries. Sunni Muslims constitute the majority in countries like Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, while Iran boasts a Shia Muslim majority. Iran positions itself as the leader of Shia Muslims and supports extremist Shia organizations to bolster its influence in the region.
The Shia-Sunni conflict dates back to the death of Prophet Muhammad, with Shias advocating for the leadership of Ali, Muhammad’s son-in-law, while Sunnis support Abu Bakr as the rightful leader. Iran’s Role and Support for Extremist
Organizations: Iran staunchly opposes Israel and views it as a proxy of the United States. To counter these perceived threats, Iran allegedly supports various extremist organizations across the Middle East.
Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthi rebels, and the Islamic Resistance are among the groups purportedly backed by Iran. Why Iran Supports These Groups: Iran’s support for these organizations serves its strategic interests in challenging Israel and the United States. By backing these groups, Iran seeks to maintain its influence and wage a proxy war in the region.
Growing Risk of Shia-Sunni Conflict
The recent escalation between Iran and Israel has heightened tensions between Sunni-majority countries and Iran. The formation of a new alliance led by the United States underscores the region’s shifting dynamics. Despite efforts to normalize relations with Israel, Sunni-majority countries are increasingly wary of Iran’s actions.
Israel Asserts Sovereignty Amid Escalating Tensions with Iran
Amid escalating tensions with Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to making independent decisions regarding its defense strategy. His remarks came in response to a series of attacks from Iran, prompting Western countries, including the United States, European Union, and G7 nations, to consider imposing stricter sanctions on Iran.
In a coordinated effort to ease tensions and prevent further escalation, Netanyahu met with the German and British foreign ministers, who traveled to Israel. During the meetings, Netanyahu expressed gratitude for their support while emphasizing Israel’s determination to defend itself. He underscored Israel’s sovereignty, stating unequivocally, “We will make our own decisions, and the State of Israel will do everything necessary to defend itself.”
Earlier, British Foreign Secretary Cameron pointed out that Israel appeared poised to retaliate for the Iranian missile and drone strikes. These strikes were launched by Tehran in response to what they perceived as an Israeli airstrike that resulted in the deaths of military officers at the Iranian embassy in Syria.
German Foreign Minister Baerbock emphasized the need to avoid escalation, stating that it would not benefit anyone involved. She highlighted the potential negative impacts on Israel’s security, the hostages held by Hamas, the suffering population of Gaza, the people in Iran under the regime, and other countries in the region seeking peace.
The ongoing Gaza war between Israel and Hamas, backed by Iran, has lasted for over six months, causing tensions across the Middle East. Diplomats are actively seeking ways to prevent direct conflict between Israel and Iran.
Despite the Iranian strikes on Saturday being largely intercepted by Israel and its allies, resulting in no casualties, Israel insists on retaliating to maintain the credibility of its deterrent capabilities. Iran, on the other hand, considers the issue resolved but warns of further retaliation if Israel retaliates again.
Washington has declared its forthcoming plans to implement fresh sanctions aimed at curtailing Iran’s missile and drone capabilities. These sanctions are anticipated to be rolled out in the near future, with the expectation that allied nations will align themselves with this approach.
Additionally, the issue of sanctions will be a focal point of discussions at both the EU summit in Brussels and the G7 talks in Italy, underscoring the international efforts to address Iran’s activities in this domain.
‘STOP THE WAR! STOP THE WAR!’
The conflict in Gaza was ignited by Hamas fighters’ attacks on southern Israel, leading to significant casualties and the capture of numerous hostages, as reported by Israeli sources.
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Consequently, the region has witnessed escalations in hostilities between Israel and various groups aligned with Iran, spanning across Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Iraq. These clashes underscore the broader implications and complexities of the conflict, extending beyond the borders of Gaza and Israel.
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