Iran has proven to be a tough opponent that no global power has been able to defeat. Recently, Israel faced unexpected and strong resistance. Tehran itself was hit hard by Israeli strikes. Some parts of Tel Aviv look damaged like Gaza after Iran’s counterattacks. This raises a key question: How far will this conflict go? Will Iran back down? Will Israel or the US force Iran to surrender?
Experts and history say it is not easy to defeat Iran. There are at least seven reasons why Iran remains almost unbeatable.
The biggest strength of Iran is not just its military weapons but control over a vital sea route. The Strait of Hormuz is only 33 kilometers wide. Yet, about 20 percent of the world’s oil passes through this narrow waterway. Iran controls this route. This control worries Western countries deeply.
Iran’s location is also strategic. It lies at the crossroads of three continents — Europe, Asia, and Africa. To the north is the Caspian Sea. To the south are the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. This land has a 500-year-old history of resisting many foreign powers. All attempts to take over Iran have failed.
Iran now has the most powerful missile forces in the Muslim world. Its missiles can reach up to 2,000 kilometers, putting parts of Europe within range. Iran is also among the world’s leading users of drone technology. Russia and Iran’s use of drones helped their forces succeed in Ukraine.
The geography of Iran is another strong defense. The Zagros Mountains lie to the west and south. The Alborz Mountains are to the north. Even if an enemy crosses the mountains, they face the Lut Desert — one of the hottest and harshest places on Earth. This difficult terrain makes a land invasion nearly impossible.
Iran is rich in energy resources. It holds about 10 percent of the world’s oil and 15 percent of natural gas reserves. This wealth gives Iran both economic power and strategic influence, especially over oil routes.
Despite US pressure, Iran has strengthened ties with Russia and China. In recent clashes with Israel, Iran reportedly received support from Russian intelligence.
Iran’s proxy network is another powerful tool. Groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and the Fatemiyoun Brigade operate across the Middle East. Iran uses these groups to pressure the US and Israel without directly entering a large war.
Iran has never bowed down in its long history. Whether it can keep this stance in modern times remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Iran cannot be taken lightly anymore.
