Iran’s military and diplomatic fronts have become increasingly active as the Islamic Republic responds to rising tensions with the United States and Israel. Iran’s highest military figure, chief of the Armed Forces Maj. Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi issued a dangerous slew of comments. In the last months of his tenure, he has personally promised U.S. “opened the door to retaliation” and promised that “we will never retreat.” This pronouncement comes on the heels of increasing belligerence and military provocations as the Korean peninsula stands poised on the precipice of war.
With anger mounting, Israel’s military fired the first shot. About 20 fighter jets bombarded Iranian military bases in Kermanshah and Tehran. Retaliatory strike against Israel? In response, Israeli air defenses initially knocked out the attack as it unfolded over Israel in the form of an aerial barrage. Furthermore, these exchanges have deepened the already fraught relationship between Iran and Israel, resulting in serious military escalations.
Iran’s military leadership has condemned what they describe as “criminal America,” claiming that U.S. actions violate Iran’s sovereignty. Maj. Gen. Mousavi characterized these incursions as a direct act of war, stating, “criminal America had directly entered the war by violating the sovereignty of Islamic Iran and encroaching on the sacred soil of our country.” Meanwhile, against this dangerous rhetoric backdrop, Iranian leaders are doubling-down on their readiness narrative.
“American soldiers will pay the price of Trump’s madness with their lives, and America’s helpless economy will hear the yelling of taxpayers who will from this point forward have to pay the cost of bombs for a war that will have no results.” – Kayhan Online
The reality is that civilians have suffered immensely as a result. Circular migration reports state that Iran has now closed its airspace, leaving citizens, such as Sheikh, with no choice but to undertake long and deadly treks by land and air. The continued cloud of uncertainty that now shrouds travel has many of these same residents on edge and fearful for their lives and livelihoods.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been calling on China to do this. He would like China to help persuade Iran not to shut the critical Strait of Hormuz, through which one in five barrels of crude oil produced today transits. This strategic waterway is essential to the whole world’s oil trade, exporting a quarter of all oil consumed globally—nearly 20% of the planet’s entire oil consumption.
On the energy front, we’ve seen the reports that Iran is now importing 5.4 million barrels of crude oil per day. This dramatic increase came during the first quarter of 2025. The geopolitical importance of this area is hard to overestimate, as even a small interruption would send ripples through global markets.
In response to rising tensions, Iranian officials have signaled their willingness to respond to any aggression they see fit. Major General Amir Hatami emphasized Iran’s determination to defend its values: “We will fight; we will fight for happiness. We have had many martyrs, but we will fight with strength and courage. You should be sure of our strength.”
The Iranoid conflict with Israel has highlighted major humanitarian issues. Consequently, more than 1,700 Indians have already been evacuated from Iran since the outbreak of hostilities. The human toll of this exodus speaks to the wider impact of the ongoing war.
