The War for Hegemony

Israel attacked Iran in an attempt to preserve the hegemony it had established over the West. Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s growing dominance began to erode, prompting it to initiate an aggressive move against Iran to reassert control.

The core mission of diplomacy is to uphold peace and prevent war. Diplomacy is conducted by civilian politicians, and as long as peace persists, the “power of governance” remains in the hands of these civilians. However, when war breaks out—or drags on—this power and its instruments gradually shift from civilian politicians to military leaders or civilians directly involved in managing the war.

Wars often have surface-level justifications: acquiring new territory, eliminating a vague terrorist threat, or advancing religious or ideological aims. But in truth, the ultimate goal of war is the seizure or consolidation of power.

Former Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif articulated this dynamic in a leaked audio recording from an interview intended for Iran International. In the recording, Zarif explains how, during times of war, actual control of the state shifts to the military. He offers examples of how domestic and foreign policy were effectively shaped on the battlefield. He specifically recalls how the former commander of the Quds Force, Qasem Soleimani, instructed him on what to prioritize in diplomatic negotiations—essentially dictating the state’s foreign policy. In contrast, Zarif admits he could never advise Soleimani on the tactical or strategic decisions needed for diplomacy. This is a telling and significant admission.

The war reignited by Hamas’s terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023, has had similar global consequences. Many believe that the strategic mindset behind this offensive also stemmed from Iran. Just as Soleimani once carved out small territorial gains in Syria to amplify his power and influence in Tehran, the operation in Gaza—and the inevitable retaliatory violence it provoked—was calculated to spark a spiral of reactions across the Islamic world, ultimately boosting the power of those who orchestrated the conflict. However, unforeseen factors derailed these plans.

On the Israeli side, the situation carries the potential to reshape the global order. In the immediate aftermath of the October 7 attacks, the entire Western bloc—led by the United States and the United Kingdom—declared unwavering support for Israel. Massive military and economic aid was pledged without limits. Empowered by this backing, Israel carried out strikes that killed tens of thousands, most of them innocent women, children, and elderly civilians. Despite occasional faint criticism from some Western politicians, the West remained firmly behind Israel.

A troubling parallel has emerged: just as Soleimani once directed Iran from Syria, it now seems as though Netanyahu is steering the entire Western world from Tel Aviv. Western governments have begun passing new laws to shield Israel from domestic criticism, threatening their own citizens who speak out against its actions, arresting protestors, cuffing academics, and forcing university leaders to resign. The West appears to have suspended the very values—freedom, democracy, and human rights—that once defined it. Sadly, this erosion of principles only empowers existing authoritarian regimes around the world.

The paradigm of this war is clear. It is the kind of war in which those on the front lines seize the power to govern. Biden’s declaration that he is “bound to Israel,” and Trump’s continuation of that line, signal the normalization of this imbalance. Netanyahu, by opening the warfront, has usurped the West’s ability to act independently. Western leaders behave as if they are shackled by an invisible force—the war that the West has aligned itself with.

But 2025 is witnessing a shift. Former President Trump has attempted to broker a new nuclear deal with Iran, aiming to halt the war, and continues to advocate for this course. The U.S. has also reached an agreement with the Houthis in Yemen. Trump has even begun openly criticizing Netanyahu’s policies. Europe, too, is changing course. This year has seen rising condemnation of Israel from the UK, France, Italy, Spain, and most recently, Germany. Accusations of Israeli war crimes are growing louder. Four Western nations, including the UK, have imposed sanctions on two hawkish Israeli ministers. Israel has lost the moral high ground it gained on October 7, 2023, and its political hegemony over the West is steadily eroding.

It is now evident that one of the key motivations behind Israel’s June 13, 2025, attack on Iran was Netanyahu’s effort to maintain a grip on this waning hegemony. The West’s response to these attacks will shape not only the outcome of the war but also its own future.