Twelve days. That’s how long the latest conflict between Israel and Iran lasted—twelve days of strikes, counterstrikes, destruction, and fear—culminating in a ceasefire that, quite frankly, surprised a lot of us. And now we are left wondering, “why did it end?”
Wars normally end when both sides tire but, in this case, things look more complicated.
Israel launched hundreds of attacks, targeting Iran’s military infrastructure, leadership, and reportedly attempting to eliminate President Pezeshkian. In response, Iran counterattacked with extraordinary force – over a thousand ballistic missiles and drones were launched, hitting Israeli cities and military sites. Israel’s legendary ‘iron dome’ intercepted some of the missiles but enormous numbers got through, damaging infrastructure, including the Israeli Military Intelligence School, and power plants. It was described as one of the most destructive assaults on Israeli territory since the nation’s founding.
The United States then entered the conflict to back Israel with its own strikes, and it had seemed to me that this was because Israel was on its knees and had no answer to the Iranian attacks. Even so, it was Iran, not Israel, that then asked regional powers to intervene. Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia were all called upon to help broker peace. Iran wanted it to stop.
Israel declared victory, of course, but in what sense could it be considered a victory?
Now, I’m not overly interested in the political rhetoric, but I do want to raise the deeper question: when one side seeks escalation and the other seeks restraint, what does that reveal?
In many spiritual traditions—and certainly in both Shia Islam and Christianity—there’s a recurring theme: suffering, when borne with patience and done for the sake of others, has a deep spiritual significance. Suffering itself is not good, and not all suffering is noble. Even so, there is enormous power in restraint, and courage in saying “enough.”
Imam Hussein’s stand at Karbala comes to mind – a refusal to submit, not through conquest, but through sacrifice. His suffering became a protest against injustice, and a lesson that still echoes through centuries. In this conflict, I wonder: who absorbed the blow so others wouldn’t have to?
Iran, somewhat bloodied and battered, called for peace. Israel, with its military strength in an unknown state but with its allies behind it, seemed to want to push harder. Even so, we ask, ‘who showed strength by ending it?’
In war, there’s always a temptation to equate power with firepower. But true power, I believe, lies in knowing when to stop. The side that seeks peace first is not always the weaker. It may well be the wiser
Father Dave – July 20th, 2025
