Russia Attacks Ukraine vs. Israel Attacks Iran: The Duplicity of the West
For over thirty years, Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed that Iran was just months, or even weeks, away from developing nuclear weapons. But what’s the issue with that? The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was established in 1957 in response to the rising nuclear tensions between the two leading nuclear powers of the time, the United States and the former Soviet Union. The IAEA has three primary missions:
- Peaceful Uses: Promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy among its member states.
- Safeguards: Implementing safeguards to verify that nuclear energy is not used for military purposes.
- Nuclear Safety: Promoting high standards for nuclear safety.
The United States and Russia are both members of the IAEA, alongside Iran and Israel. However, the main treaty prohibiting the proliferation of nuclear weapons is the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), of which Iran is a signatory while Israel is not. Israel has long accused Iran of working towards developing a nuclear bomb, even though it is not bound by the treaty. The collective West has imposed sanctions on Iran for decades, largely because it refuses to align with U.S. interests, like some of its Arab neighbours, such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Despite Iran complying with every requirement set by the IAEA, it has endured economic isolation imposed by the West. Over decades, Iranians have adapted to living under these sanctions, developing indigenous technology and finding ways to cope. Then came Barack Obama, who engaged Iran alongside European allies (the UK, Germany, and France) while including independent participants like Russia and China in the discussions. This engagement led to the formation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The narrative of an imminent Iran nuclear threat created by the West was finally challenged. Under the agreement, Iran would curb its nuclear ambitions, whether peaceful or not, in exchange for the removal of sanctions. The deal was signed.
This outcome was met with dissatisfaction from Israel. Iran was perceived as a rising power with the ability to produce weapons and machinery. It posed a unique challenge, as it was not Arab but Islamic, and it opposed Israel’s Zionist ambitions. Moreover, Iran’s steadfast support for the Palestinians and Hezbollah only heightened Israeli concerns.
Netanyahu, who has served as Israel’s Prime Minister on three separate occasions (1996, 2009, and 2022), has a total of seventeen years in the role. Listening to him, one might believe Iran is just hours away from acquiring a nuclear bomb, which they would then launch directly at Israel. It’s important to note that Iran’s nuclear programme is the most monitored in the world, with IAEA agents permanently stationed there and cameras installed everywhere.
Conversely, Israel is widely believed to have its own nuclear programme, with evidence suggesting it possesses a nuclear arsenal. Yet, Israel is not a signatory to the NPT, and the West does not pressure it on this matter. In many Western media outlets, there is little to no mention of Israel’s nuclear programme or its potential arsenal. Why are there sanctions and condemnation directed at Iran for trying to develop nuclear technology when Israel already possesses such capabilities and is under no scrutiny?
One reason is that Iran is an Islamic nation, and it does not act sycophantically towards the West, primarily the U.S. The other countries in the region often align with U.S. interests. Iran maintains that its nuclear programme is intended for peaceful purposes, and all available evidence supports this assertion.
When Russia attacked Ukraine, it claimed that its security was threatened and that it needed to eliminate this threat. In response, the West condemned Russia and imposed tens of thousands of sanctions, resulting in Russia having more sanctions than the rest of the world combined. Its national assets were frozen, and Russian citizens were banned from participating in all sports events. However, this unprecedented reaction from the West went silent when Israel attacked Iran unprovoked, citing the same security threats that Russia had mentioned regarding Ukraine. Ironically, Israel was praised for its actions, while the victim, Iran, was condemned and blamed. This apparent duplicity from the West poses a significant threat to global emancipation.
The Americans continue to surprise us, having elected a figure who seems to have turned international relations into a circus. Remember the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)? As soon as he was elected, he tore the agreement apart despite Iran’s adherence to its terms. Nevertheless, Iran was re-sanctioned and ignored. The European allies—namely, the UK, Germany, and France—failed to stand up to their “daddy” in Washington, who seemed to act like a petulant child. During Trump’s first term, he misled Iranian generals into a meeting in Iraq under the pretence of indirect negotiations, only to launch a missile strike upon their arrival, killing everyone present, including innocent bystanders. The European allies defended their “childish” leader and shifted the blame to Iran for the attack.
The JCPOA had been designed to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons while safeguarding Israel’s interests in the Middle East. With the deal effectively over, Iran found itself back at square one. Fast forward nine years, and the same six-year-old, now re-elected, attempted to restart negotiations with Iran, this time facilitating direct talks in a third country. The phrase “fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me” could not be truer for Iran. Despite Iran’s good faith in negotiations, Israel launched a surprise attack on them, carrying out acts of terrorism across the country, including strikes against their air defence systems and nuclear research facilities. The leader of the U.S. even bragged about these attacks and praised Israel for them while threatening everyone in Tehran to evacuate.
The absurdity and lunacy of this situation, along with the silence from European allies or, in some cases, openly supporting Israel’s attack response, would leave anyone with an iota of common sense bewildered. Germany even expressed gratitude to Israel, while the UK and France called for restraint but still deployed planes to assist Israel in its defence. These were the same nations that condemned Russia for its justification when it attacked Ukraine.
Stunned by the surprise assault, Iran regrouped and launched waves of ballistic missiles at Israel, penetrating the multiple layers of defence provided by some of the world’s most advanced militaries and causing visible damage. Iran has every right to defend itself, and despite some internal disagreements, Iranians stand united against Israel. As Iran takes defensive action, the effectiveness of both the Israeli and U.S. air defence systems appears to be waning. The Iranian missiles have caused significant damage throughout Israel, a country only slightly larger than the province of Tehran.
The Western media has been complicit, often downplaying the severity of the terrorist attacks on Iran. It is crucial to clarify once more: Israel attacked Iran unprovoked, initiating terrorist campaigns throughout the country. It has bombed Iranian nuclear facilities, hospitals, police offices, residential buildings, water facilities, and numerous other civilian infrastructures. Nonetheless, the West has portrayed the situation as if Iran were the aggressor and Israel the defender. This duplicity could ultimately lead to the West’s downfall.
Iranian Boeing 707 Refueling Aircraft Destroyed on the Runway of Mashhad Airport, Iran
Despite only making up about 10% of the world’s population, Caucasians (whites) control many of the top global institutions, including FIFA, the Olympics, the ATP/WTA, the IAEA, the UN, Visa, MasterCard, the ICC, the Internet, social media platforms, and news networks. Meanwhile, the Middle East remains divided, with its economies largely dependent rather than independent. It produces little that could threaten the West and is largely reliant on it, with most governments in the region being despotic and excessively sycophantic towards the U.S., compared to the European powers of Britain, France, Germany, and Italy.
As the conflict in Iran continues, the country has every right to respond. For decades, Israel has acted with impunity. However, what we have witnessed in the past couple of years is unprecedented. Israel has bombed Gaza into ruins and is committing what some have labelled the world’s first televised genocide. Yet, there is no condemnation from the so-called moral West. Israel can bomb, invade, and destroy in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon with little consequence, and in the West, it is often portrayed as the victim. How did we get to this point?
Damages Caused by Iranian Missiles
This time, Israel has attacked an opponent that can fight back. Iran has inflicted more damage on Israel than it has suffered since its establishment. Most of Israel’s previous military engagements have involved smaller neighbouring countries, easily reachable by its aircraft. However, the distance to Iran is over 1,000 kilometres. Israel’s fighter jets, which are crucial to its military operations, must fly for hours to reach Iran and then drop less effective missiles on well-fortified facilities built into Iran’s rugged terrain.
Tel Aviv After Iranian Ballistic Missile
Iran has prepared for decades against such an attack. Its military equipment and nuclear facilities are located deep underground, and its defence strategy emphasises ballistic missiles. The Israelis and their allies in the U.S. did not anticipate this response. It is becoming increasingly evident that Israel cannot outlast Iran. Meanwhile, the U.S., the main instigator of the conflict, is contemplating joining the fight by bombing Iran. It has been removing its assets from the Middle East and other areas within reach of Iranian missiles in preparation for a bombing campaign. Why is this permitted in the twenty-first century?
For centuries, Western nations have plundered, invaded, enslaved, colonised, and exploited brown and black people around the world. It is alarming that these patterns of behaviour are being repeated by their descendants—following in their forefather’s and great-grandparents’ footsteps. Only one country has ever used nuclear weapons against humans, and I will let you guess which that is. Why is this former nuclear offender now accusing a country with no record of nuclear aggression of being a potential atomic threat? As long as some nations can acquire nuclear weapons while denying others the same opportunity, nuclear proliferation will persist. Nations, including Iran, have the right to pursue nuclear technology if they so desire.
Friday, 20 June 2025, Iranians flock to the Street of Tehran in Support of their Government
Israel, a small nation on the world map, has instigated wars and instability across an entire region, which could potentially lead to widespread conflict—perhaps even a nuclear one. All of this occurs while the same people who were outraged by Russia’s actions remain silent. In just seven days, Israel inflicted on Gaza what Russia has not done to Ukraine in three years.
By Ikechukwu ORJI
