Iran-Israel War | 'Iran sees itself in a moral fight, not a military fight': Syed Akif Zaidi

Published on June 23, 2025. In this episode of Frontline Conversations, senior journalist Saba Naqvi speaks with Syed Akif Zaidi, an Indian political analyst and research scholar at Al-Mustafa International University in Iran, who has lived in Iran for over 15 years. Speaking from Qom, near one of the sites (Fordo) bombed by the United States, Zaidi provides a detailed account of Iran's evolving response to an unprecedented escalation. As the US and Israel bomb Iranian nuclear sites, marking the first time nuclear powers have attacked a non-nuclear NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty) signatory, Zaidi discusses what this moment means for West Asia, global balance, and the long-standing ideological conflict in the region. He contends that this attack represents a direct military confrontation between the imperial axis led by the US and Israel, and the resistance axis led by Iran, and details how the Iranian public has reacted with calm, clarity, and collective defiance. Drawing on historical insight and present-day observations, Zaidi outlines why Iran, despite facing two nuclear-armed adversaries, believes it is strategically and psychologically prepared for prolonged conflict—and why he believes American hegemony in the region is ending. Context: Zaidi examines how this conflict, which many call an act of war, rooted in a 45-year ideological standoff, has entered a dangerous new phase, with the risk of escalation, regional spillover, and potential nuclear consequences. From Tehran's internal mobilisations to Washington's strategic gamble, he analyses an unfolding global crisis. Chapters: 0:00 – Introduction 0:38 – Situation in Iran 1:53 – Iran-US conflict possible? 5:23 – Will Iran fight back? 12:50 – Use of nukes against civilians 15:15 – Iran's strategy 18:57 – What are the concerns? 29:21 – Internal challenges 34:28 – Why isn't Iran using nukes? 40:40 – India's role 49:46 – India-Iran relations 52:52 – Strait of Hormuz 56:31 – Iran's deterrence 57:19 – Iran's position Highlights: -Why the US-Israel attack marks a shift in global warfare -How Iran is managing public sentiment, resilience, and preparedness -The ideological conflict between the Resistance Axis and the Imperial Axis Iran's missile deterrence strategy and underground preparedness -Whether the US would consider using nuclear weapons again -The role of Russia, China, Turkey, and Pakistan—diplomacy versus action -What Iran's gradual retaliatory strategy could look like -Why Zaidi believes Iran does not need external military assistance Perfect for: -Viewers following the Iran–US–Israel conflict -Students of international relations, military strategy, and West Asian politics -Journalists covering geopolitics, nuclear policy, and global power shifts -Analysts examining the future of American influence in West Asia -Citizens seeking to understand the stakes of regional conflict -Anyone interested in civil resistance, deterrence, and ideological warfare Host: Saba Naqvi Produced by: Abhinav Chakraborty and Kavya Pradeep M. Editing: Razal Pareed Subscribe to Frontline: https://frontline.thehindu.com/online... Follow us on: Facebook - / frontlineindia Twitter - / frontline_india Instagram - / frontline.magazine LinkedIn - / frontline-magazine-b12921295