# *Detailed SUMMARY of the article "Why Iran matters" by Aasim Sajjad Akhtar, Published in Dawn on June 20th, 2025:* The article argues that *Iran*, one of the world's oldest civilizations and never formally colonized by Europeans, faces an existential threat from *Israeli Zionist aggression* backed by the *US Empire*, with outcomes that will affect the entire world. The author contends that the *West* and *Israel* seek to eliminate Iran as the sole challenger to their power in the *Muslim world*, evidenced by their promotion of *Reza Pahlavi*, son of the former *imperialist puppet Shah* overthrown in the *1979 Iranian Revolution*. The author warns that *regime change* in Iran would mirror disastrous *imperialist interventions* in *Afghanistan*, *Iraq*, *Syria*, *Libya*, *Yemen*, and *Lebanon*, leading to unprecedented bloodshed and endless war despite the *theocratic regime's* repressive nature. Iran's strategic importance is emphasized through its influence over *Shia militant organizations* like *Hezbollah*, support for *Hamas* and the *Palestinian cause*, and control of the *Strait of Hormuz* through which *20% of global oil supply* passes daily. The author criticizes the potential Pakistani alignment with *US war efforts*, referencing an "unexpected meeting" between Pakistan's *army chief* and *Donald Trump* in Washington, suggesting Pakistan may become a *"front-line state"* in exchange for *crypto* and *mineral exploration contracts*. Historical parallels are drawn to the damaging alignments under dictators *Ziaul Haq* and *Pervez Musharraf* during *Afghan wars*, which created lasting legacies of *militant right-wing influence* and *"Kalashnikov culture"*. The article highlights immediate impacts on *Pakistan*, particularly the closure of the *900-kilometer Iran-Pakistan border* since *Israeli raids* began, severely affecting *cross-border trade* worth *$3 billion annually* and the livelihoods of *Balochistan's* population who depend on *Iranian diesel*, *petrol*, and other goods. The author notes that most of *Balochistan* relies on *Iranian fuel* and products, while criticizing economic experts who ignore how the province has been *"pillaged for mineral resources"* by the *"nexus of state and capital"* while locals face *deprivation* and *subjugation*. The suspension of trade, combined with *mass repression*, is predicted to drive more young *Baloch* to join the existing *insurgency*, though the author acknowledges that Iran's regime has also *brutalized* ethnic *Baloch*, *women*, *non-Shia minorities*, and *political dissidents*. The piece concludes by distinguishing Iran as standing up to the *Empire* while Pakistan seeks deals with it, criticizing most *Muslim rulers* for abandoning Iran and advocating for a different politics from the perspective of the most oppressed people. # *Easy/Short SUMMARY*: *Iran* faces *Israeli* and *US* aggression aimed at *regime change*, threatening global stability. *Pakistan* risks becoming a *US front-line state* after the *army chief's* meeting with *Trump*. The *900km Iran-Pakistan border* closure hurts *Balochistan's* *$3 billion* annual trade, potentially fueling *Baloch insurgency*. Iran controls *20%* of global oil through *Strait of Hormuz* and supports *Palestinian resistance*. The author warns against repeating *Afghanistan*/*Iraq*-style interventions. # *SOLUTIONS of The Problem*: ## *1. Maintain Pakistani Neutrality* Avoid becoming a *US front-line state* and maintain balanced foreign policy with regional neighbors. ## *2. Reopen Border Trade* Resume *Iran-Pakistan border* commerce to support *Balochistan's* economy and prevent further marginalization. ## *3. Address Baloch Grievances* Provide fair share of *mineral revenues* to *Balochistan* and end systematic *deprivation*. ## *4. Promote Regional Diplomacy* Encourage peaceful resolution through *Muslim world* unity rather than *imperial alignment*. ## *5. Strengthen Economic Ties* Develop legitimate *cross-border trade* infrastructure to replace *informal economy*. ## *6. Counter Sectarian Violence* Address *Kurram district* issues and prevent *sectarian tensions* from escalating. ## *7. Learn from History* Avoid repeating mistakes of *Zia* and *Musharraf* eras that damaged Pakistani society. ## *8. Support Regional Stability* Oppose *regime change* interventions that lead to regional chaos and refugee crises. ## *9. Protect Energy Security* Safeguard access to *Iranian fuel* supplies essential for *Balochistan's* energy needs. ## *10. Advocate for Oppressed* Support marginalized communities like *Baloch* and *Kurds* rather than using them as *geopolitical pawns*. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures Given in the article*: - *Iran* was never formally subject to *European colonial rule*. - *Iran-Pakistan border* is almost *900 kilometers* long. - *Cross-border trade* worth *$3 billion* moves annually across the border. - At least *20%* of *global oil supply* travels through *Strait of Hormuz* daily. - *Kurram* is the only *Shia-majority district* in *Khyber Pakhtunkhwa*. - Border has been closed since *Israeli raids* started. - *1979 Iranian Revolution* overthrew the *Shah*. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures out of the article*: - *Iran* has *85 million* population, making it the *18th most populous* country (*UN*, 2024). - *Balochistan* covers *44%* of Pakistan's land area (*Pakistan Bureau of Statistics*, 2024). - *Iran* holds *10%* of world's proven oil reserves (*OPEC*, 2024). - *Strait of Hormuz* handles *21%* of global petroleum liquids (*US EIA*, 2024). - *Pakistan-Iran* gas pipeline project worth *$7.5 billion* remains stalled (*Ministry of Energy*, 2024). - *Balochistan* has *70%* poverty rate, highest in Pakistan (*World Bank*, 2024). # *MCQs from the Article*: ### 1. *What percentage of global oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz?* A. 15% *B. 20%* C. 25% D. 30% ### 2. *How long is the Iran-Pakistan border?* A. 800 kilometers *B. 900 kilometers* C. 1000 kilometers D. 700 kilometers ### 3. *What is the annual value of cross-border trade between Iran and Pakistan?* A. $2 billion *B. $3 billion* C. $4 billion D. $5 billion ### 4. *In which year was the Iranian Revolution that overthrew the Shah?* A. 1978 *B. 1979* C. 1980 D. 1981 ### 5. *Which is the only Shia-majority district in KP?* A. Chitral *B. Kurram* C. Waziristan D. Bannu # *VOCABULARY*: 1. *Bloodthirsty* (خون کا پیاسا) – Eager for violence or killing 2. *Wantonly* (بے قابو) – Deliberately and without restraint 3. *Scion* (وارث) – Descendant of a notable family 4. *Theocratic* (مذہبی حکومت) – Government by religious authority 5. *Revisionist* (نظریہ تبدیل کرنے والا) – One who revises established views 6. *Whitewash* (چھپانا) – Conceal or gloss over faults 7. *Subjugate* (مغلوب کرنا) – Bring under control or domination 8. *Complicity* (ملی بھگت) – Involvement in wrongdoing 9. *Militarised* (فوجی) – Organized along military lines 10. *Prosecute* (جاری رکھنا) – Continue or pursue 11. *Enduring* (پائیدار) – Lasting or permanent 12. *Spike* (تیزی سے بڑھنا) – Increase sharply 13. *Fallouts* (نتائج) – Adverse consequences 14. *Exchequer* (خزانہ) – National treasury 15. *Pillaged* (لوٹا گیا) – Robbed or plundered 16. *Nexus* (رابطہ) – Connection or link 17. *Deprivation* (محرومی) – Lack of basic necessities 18. *Insurgency* (بغاوت) – Armed rebellion 19. *Brutalised* (ظلم کیا) – Treated with cruelty 20. *Realpolitik* (حقیقت پسندانہ سیاست) – Practical politics based on power 📢 *Attention Please!* We appreciate your commitment to acquiring knowledge through our summaries. Please be reminded not to remove the attribution label affixed to this article. It is crucial to acknowledge the source and the effort invested in creating this summary. We discourage any unauthorized distribution without proper credit. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. 🔍 ⚡ *Explore More Summaries, Solutions, and Vocabulary Meanings* 💡 Join our WhatsApp Channel for timely and comprehensive summaries of the latest articles, along with well-crafted solutions and helpful vocabulary meanings. Click the link below to join now 🔗 [Dawn Article Summaries](https://cssmcqs.com/dawn-editorials-articles-summary-for-students-pdf-download/) *WhatsApp Channel Link*: [https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y) --- *dawn.com* *Why Iran matters* *Aasim Sajjad Akhtar* *5–6 minutes* IRAN is one of the world's oldest civilisations, one of the few that was never formally subject to European colonial rule. Today as bloodthirsty Zionist warplanes hover over its skies, and beg the US empire to add its bombs to those already being wantonly dropped on the country, it is no exaggeration to suggest that the outcome of this latest act of Zionist aggression will affect us all. There is no secret to what the Empire and its Israeli outpost want — to eliminate the one challenger to their power in the Muslim world. By platforming Reza Pahlavi, scion of the imperialist puppet Shah who was topped in the 1979 revolution, the Western mainstream is no longer even masking its regime change intentions. What would regime change in Iran look like? Very much like the disastrous imperialist interventions in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya and ongoing ones in Yemen and Lebanon. If today the argument is that the repressive, theocratic regime that rules Iran must be removed, yesterday the same was said about the Afghan Taliban, Saddam Hussein, the Assad dynasty and Muammar Qadhafi. One need not be a historical revisionist and whitewash the excesses of those regimes to see that imperialist interventions in those countries led only to unprecedented bloodshed, hate and endless war. Iran is much bigger than all of the above-mentioned countries that have been ravaged by imperialism. It exercises huge influence over Shia militant organisations, including Hezbollah, whilst explicitly supporting Hamas and the Palestinian cause more generally. It controls major waterways like the Strait of Hormuz, through which at least 20 per cent of global oil supply travels on a daily basis. What would regime change in Iran look like? Let there be no confusion: no matter the complicity of Arab sheikhs, the attempt to subjugate Iran by Washington and Tel Aviv will further destabilise the region and world. US imperialist wars since World War II have always been fought in the name of a larger 'Pax Americana', which, in fact, has been catastrophic for large parts of the Muslim world, East Asia, Latin America and Africa. Which brings me to Pakistan. The 'unexpected' meeting between the army chief and Donald Trump in Washington suggests that Pakistan's militarised ruling class may be in line to make the country a 'front-line state' in another US war, presumably in exchange for crypto and mineral exploration contracts. The dictatorships of Ziaul Haq and Pervez Musharraf immensely damaged Pakistani society by aligning with Washington to prosecute wars in Afghanistan. The widespread influence of the militant right-wing, and the 'Kalashnikov culture' are enduring legacies. In case we've forgotten, this disastrous legacy continues to play out in Kurram, the only Shia-majority district in KP, where the state remains unwilling to secure roads that have been closed for the best part of a year. What the mainstream lazily calls 'sectarian' violence would only spike further if the Pakistani state puts in its lot with the war on Iran. In the short term, we in Pakistan are already seeing huge fallouts of Zionist aggression. Iran shares an almost 900 kilometre-long border with Pakistan, which has been closed since Israeli raids started. Cross-border trade is arguably the biggest livelihood source for a vast majority of ordinary people across Balochistan, especially its western parts. Even by conservative estimates, goods worth $3 billion move across this border annually. Most of Balochistan uses Iranian diesel and petrol. A range of other products also come in from across the border. While economic 'experts' and bureaucrats lam­ent the supposed loss to the exchequer from this 'black' economy, they conveniently neglect the fact that Balo­chistan has been pillaged for its rich mineral resources by the nexus of state and capital while the local population, select middlemen exclu­ded, has gotten only deprivation and subjugation. The daily lifeline of trade having been suspended, and with mass repression at its peak, more young Baloch are likely to join an already raging insurgency. Of course, the regime in Iran has also brutalised ethnic Baloch on that side of the border, along with women, non-Shia minorities and political dissidents more generally. Like the Kurds, the Baloch continue to be subjugated by states whilst treated as pawns in geopolitical games, pushed to the wall and then criminalised to no end. Yet whatever their similarities, Iran and Pakistan are different because the former is standing up to the Empire while the latter seeks deals with it. The truth is that most Muslim rulers have already abandoned the people of Iran, forget its regime. These rulers sell tales about the wisdom of realpolitik, but from the perspective of the most oppressed people in our region and world, we need another politics entirely. The writer teaches at Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2025