Iran Needs Sympathy and less Bombs
Following the devastating bombing campaign by Israel and the United States, Iran lies economically shattered. What it now needs is not more punishment, but a path to recovery—beginning with the removal of sanctions and a comprehensive rebuilding initiative akin to the Marshall Plan of post–World War II Europe.
Iran’s nuclear ambitions lie in ruins. It has learned a hard lesson and is unlikely to resume bomb-making for at least the next 5–10 years. Its facilities are damaged but not entirely destroyed, meaning the threat is postponed—not eliminated.
If Washington is genuinely concerned about nuclear proliferation, it should turn its attention to Pakistan. It was Pakistan, after all, that exported nuclear technology to Iran, Libya, and North Korea. Yet, instead of being held accountable, Pakistan is now an American ally in this conflict—further complicating regional dynamics.
Iran now faces two enemies: Israel and, unexpectedly, Pakistan. The latter’s cooperation with the U.S. has deeply soured Iran-Pakistan relations. Moreover, Pakistan’s Sunni-majority status and long-standing sectarian hostility toward Shiite Iran add another layer of tension to an already volatile region.
A Marshall Plan-style effort for Iran could change the equation. While it may not dissolve the enmity between Iran and Israel, it could reduce the volume of rhetoric and open space for pragmatic coexistence. Rebuilding Iran and reintegrating it into the global economy offers the West a chance to reshape its behavior—not through bombs, but through hope and investment.
If America could help rebuild Nazi Germany after World War II, it can certainly assist Iran today—before new enemies and darker chapters emerge.