By any measure, the world today stands alarmingly close to the precipice of a global war—arguably the closest it has been since the end of World War II. The escalating Israel–Iran conflict, marked by missile exchanges, covert operations, and diplomatic confrontations, is not merely a regional matter anymore. With major powers now visibly drawn into the conflict zone, what once seemed like a distant standoff in the Middle East now bears the hallmarks of a global crisis in the making.

The recent tit-for-tat attacks between Israel and Iran—culminating in the unprecedented direct missile attack launched by Iran in April 2025 on Israeli territory, followed by Israel’s retaliatory airstrikes deep into Iranian infrastructure—have plunged the region into uncertainty. Israel claims it intercepted 99% of the over 300 drones and missiles launched by Iran, yet the very scale of this attack marks a dangerous escalation. It was the first open Iranian military strike on Israeli soil in history—a sharp departure from the longstanding shadow war the two have fought through proxies.

The principle of “might is right” is again being used with dangerous abandon. In this contest of egos and ideologies, human suffering is tragically incidental. As both sides harden their positions, the death toll rises. Iran’s retaliatory attacks have so far left at least 15 Israeli civilians and soldiers dead. Israeli air raids have reportedly killed over 70 people in Iran and Syria, many of them civilians, including women and children.

The humanitarian costs are devastating. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the conflict has displaced over 120,000 people in the region within weeks. Infrastructure—schools, hospitals, water supplies—has been reduced to rubble. Cultural heritage sites in cities like Isfahan and Aleppo are at risk. The ruins of ancient civilizations may be pulverized under the weight of modern militarism.

Equally troubling is the muted response of the international community. The very countries that once championed the rules-based international order now seem helpless—or indifferent. The U.S. continues its unwavering support for Israel. President Trump’s recent statements warning Iran of “unimaginable consequences” if it harms U.S. assets or allies have only poured fuel on the fire. Iran, already under crushing sanctions, has found a new ally in Russia, which has openly declared its intent to “respond proportionally” if Iran is attacked. China has joined the fray with a sharp condemnation of Israel’s “aggressive actions.”

This geopolitical polarization echoes the pre-World War II alignment of powers. In 1939, a series of alliances, ultimatums, and retaliatory moves pulled much of the globe into war. Today, a similarly combustible lineup is emerging: on one side, the U.S. and Israel; on the other, Iran, Russia, and China. All it would take is one misfired missile, one misinterpreted radar signal, one reckless provocation—and the world could spiral into chaos.

India, with its centuries-old philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the world is one family—finds itself watching from the sidelines, along with much of the Global South. These words, which once inspired global visions of unity and peace, now feel hollow against the background of bombs and bloodshed. Where is the moral leadership of the world? Where are the voices that once rose in defense of peace, of diplomacy, of the sanctity of human life?

This is not a time for neutrality. It is a time for moral courage. Israel and Iran must be held to account—not for the sake of political point-scoring, but to save what remains of our collective humanity. World leaders must stop enabling belligerent posturing and start enforcing dialogue. The United Nations, long paralyzed by vetoes and political gamesmanship, must assert its relevance or risk becoming a relic of diplomacy.

At the core of this conflict lie wounded histories, unresolved grievances, and power-hungry leaderships more interested in legacy than life. But even amidst such entrenched hostility, diplomacy is not a dead cause. History has shown that enemies can talk. The U.S. and Vietnam did. South and North Korea came to the table. Even the Cold War ended not with bombs, but with handshakes.

There is still time—just enough—to prevent this fire from engulfing the world. The global community must speak with one voice: enough is enough. Let Israel and Iran know that the world is watching—not with indifference, but with the desperate hope that reason might prevail over rage.

For the sake of the children in Tel Aviv and Tehran, for the future of Jerusalem and Isfahan, for the dignity of human life everywhere—let this not be the beginning of World War III. Let it be the end of a dangerous flirtation with annihilation.