US–Israel airstrikes on Iran not an invasion yet – International Relations Expert

An International Relations expert, Al-Wahab Farouk, has stated that the ongoing military confrontation between the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other does not amount to a full-scale invasion.

According to him, the five weeks of sustained airstrikes by the US and Israel against Iran should be described as “area bombardment” rather than an invasion.

“They have not invaded Iran yet. What we are witnessing are missile attacks and exchanges of bomb blasts,” he explained.

In a zoom interview on Kessben TV’s Digest, Farouk argued that any formal invasion would require broader international authorization, stressing that military occupation of a sovereign state without global backing would raise serious legal implications.

“If they want to invade, they would have to go for international approval,” he noted.

He further contended that the reported unilateral understanding between the United States and Israel to act against Iran contradicts established principles of international law.

Touching on the historical context, the expert pointed out that the United States and Iran were once allies in the 1980s, adding that geopolitical alliances have significantly shifted over the decades.

Farouk also linked the escalation to the broader Israel–Hamas conflict, suggesting that tensions in the region are interconnected.

He criticized US President Donald Trump, claiming that decisions taken at the inception of the crisis have affected America’s global standing.

“The whole issue has to do with the Israel–Hamas factor. From the inception of this, Trump has put America and the world into disrepute,” he asserted.

His comments come amid heightened global concern over the deepening hostilities in the Middle East and fears that continued exchanges could further destabilize the region and impact global security and energy markets.