Prudent warning

AS speculation grows regarding fresh US-Israeli aggression against Iran, major Muslim states of the wider Middle East, as well as European powers, have clearly expressed their lack of appetite for any such misadventure.

Meeting in Istanbul on Friday under the ‘R4+E3’ umbrella, the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkiye, the UK, Germany, and France discussed several global hotspots, including Iran and Ukraine. Italy also participated in the meeting. The Turkish foreign minister said that “no one supports” military intervention in Iran at this moment, while France’s top diplomat said any escalation “would only have losers”, besides increasing oil prices, which are already high.

There is good reason for the international community to be worried. Strong signals are emerging from Tel Aviv and Washington that the US and Israel are planning a new assault on Iran, reportedly after the American midterms on Nov 3 — perhaps even earlier.

US President Donald Trump has himself said that “we may do another little Epic Fury”, referring to the name America gave to the aggression launched in February. While the US leader is known for his bluster and often non-serious threats, in this regard he may actually mean what he has said.

The US has been sending more troops and military equipment to the Middle East, and American and Israeli forces have reportedly rehearsed attack plans. Tel Aviv is particularly enthused about going after Iran again.

Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results each time is equated with folly. But arrogance has blinded both the US and Israel to this reality.

Israel had first attacked Iran in October 2024, while both the US and the Zionist state initiated two more aggressive operations against the Islamic Republic, in June 2025 and February 2026. These attacks, particularly the assault launched this year, inflicted huge damage on Iran, decimating its military, political, and religious leadership. But the country regrouped, defended itself, and fought back against the aggressors. The Iranians have reaffirmed that any new attack will be met with “offensive” measures.

All of this is cause for alarm. The Gulf states that host American facilities will again be in the line of fire, which is why Muslim countries have warned against a new conflict. But will the war lobbies in Washington and Tel Aviv listen?

Many governments and most people of the Middle East are tired of war, and want to rebuild their lives and economies. If conflict and bloodshed return, the shockwaves caused by disrupted energy and trade flows will leave few economies unscathed.

Therefore, America should abandon its plans to further destabilise the region. Instead, it should rein in its ally Israel and its bloodthirsty leaders.

Published in Dawn, October 25th, 2026