The famous quote from George Orwell's Animal Farm, "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others," resonates deeply in the context of Middle Eastern geopolitics. It wasn't only Israel that perceived a security threat from Iran; Gulf States also feared Tehran's growing political and strategic inroads into Arab nations from Iraq to Syria, Palestine, Lebanon, and Yemen, despite Iran never harboring plans for territorial expansion. The United States never sought to disentangle its Iran policy from the perceived security threats felt by Israel and its Arab allies. President Donald Trump withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) at the urging of Israel and Saudi Arabia.
The Leadership of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
U.S. and Israeli leaders viewed Ali Khamenei as a hardliner and the architect of Iran's tough stance toward Israel. Undoubtedly, he was one of the most popular post-revolutionary leaders, holding power first as President and later as Supreme Leader since 1981. He left his mark on every institution and the country's institutional policy. He was a close ally of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and wielded absolute power. In the presence of a Supreme Leader of Khamenei's stature, the presidency was relegated to a secondary role in political and strategic terms. However, labeling him a hardliner is questionable.
Khamenei embodied the resilience of the Iranian revolution, the steadfast determination and pride of his nation, and the strong will of the Iranian people. True to his faith, he lived a humble, simple, and modest life, shunning displays of power and extravagance in both personal and official matters. He exerted a moderating influence on the IRGC and other institutions. He oversaw negotiations with the Obama administration on the JCPOA and issued a religious edict against weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons. He also consented to talks with the Trump administration in May–June 2025 and this year, despite Washington's breach of trust.
Khamenei's Modest Assets
The Iranian government has announced the inventory of Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's assets. All he owns is a small pickup truck. No real estate, no bank accounts, no palaces, and no hidden assets after ruling Iran for 47 years. This exemplifies how great men set personal examples of caliber, carriage, honesty, and integrity for others to emulate. Stealing public money, building family empires, and smuggling billions abroad are repulsive to them. His son and successor, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, states that neither he nor any of his siblings owns a house; they live in rented homes. Similarly, we saw the picture of the old and modest house of the martyred leader Ali Ardashir Larijani. Whether we believe it or not, only history will judge what precious assets they were for their nation.
The Path to Middle East Peace
There will be no real peace in the Middle East if the Palestinian issue remains unaddressed and Israeli expansionism unchallenged. At best, there will be a pause in hostilities, allowing war-fatigued countries a hydration break. Israel has become a bully in the region, while American leadership remains oblivious to its intentions for strategic and territorial expansion. The genocidal killings in Gaza went unheeded. Israel dragged the U.S. into two consecutive invasions of Iran under the guise of talks. It is granted that the U.S. will not allow Israel to sink, but it should at least prevent it from becoming a security threat in the region.
Historical U.S.-Israel Tensions
U.S. leaders once issued admonitory warnings to Israeli intransigents. However, with the ascension of President George W. Bush to power, American leaders adopted a softer approach, emboldening hardliners like Benjamin Netanyahu to go berserk in their obsession with more land and resources. Israeli leaders had bitter ties with Barack Obama, who strictly admonished them against unilateral action on Iranian nuclear sites. Interestingly, they also received rebukes from U.S. leaders in the past. In the mid-1950s, President Dwight Eisenhower forced Israel to withdraw from the Suez Canal, threatening a total U.S. aid cutoff and sanctions. President Gerald Ford in the 1970s was incensed by Israel's refusal to conclude a disengagement agreement in Sinai, threatening a "reassessment of U.S. policy in the region, including the U.S. relationship with Israel." In the 1980s, Prime Minister Menachem Begin extended Israeli laws to the Golan Heights, prompting President Ronald Reagan to halt F-16 deliveries. In 1991, Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir angered President George H.W. Bush by refusing to halt West Bank settlements, leading to a freeze of $10 billion in loan guarantees. Similarly, in 1996, President Bill Clinton, in his first meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu, angrily asked aide Dennis Ross, "What does he think the ….. superpower is?" adding an unprintable modifier before "superpower."
Iran's Rise and Future Challenges
Israel is not happy with the cessation of war, having failed to achieve its objectives, including regime change, total annihilation of Iran's economic and technical infrastructure, nuclear sites, and overseas proxies. Instead, Iran has emerged as a powerful regional player, overshadowing Israel with its new political, economic, and strategic clout. Whether Israel will find a peaceful way to coexist with Iran remains doubtful. The U.S. must leash Israeli leaders. How Arab countries will recalibrate their bilateral relations in line with Iran's newfound power and influence, as well as the U.S. presence in the region, remains to be seen. The real test of diplomacy lies in the details of technical talks to be completed within 60 days. Israel and India will likely play spoilers, while the IRGC will take a harder line on rapprochement with Israel and the U.S., the nuclear program, and the status of Hezbollah, Houthis, and Hamas. These issues, combined with sanctions relief and unfreezing of Iranian assets, will be major sticking points, straining negotiators' capabilities.
Ambassador M. Alam Brohi is a former member of the Foreign Service of Pakistan and has served as Ambassador for two terms. He is the author of five books.
