ISIS Sees the Iran-Israel War as a Divine Opportunity

“The State of the Persians and the State of the Jews” – al-Naba Weekly, Issue 500 (June 20, 2025)

In its latest editorial, published in the 500th issue of al-Naba, the Islamic State (IS) has offered a sharp and ideologically driven response to the unfolding war between Iran and Israel. The article, titled “The State of the Persians and the State of the Jews,” presents a detailed rejection of both parties to the conflict, portraying them as twin enemies of Islam. Rather than choosing sides, the Islamic State urges Sunni Muslims to seize the moment for jihadist resurgence and to reject any sentiment of sympathy for Iran, even in the context of its war with Israel.

The editorial opens by asserting that the current conflict is not a battle between good and evil, but rather a confrontation between two imperial projects: one led by Zionism and the other by Persian Shiism. According to IS, both are foreign, heretical forces that threaten faithful Islam. Israel is described as the spearhead of a global Jewish conspiracy supported by Western powers. At the same time, Iran is denounced as a deceptive enemy that cloaks its nationalist ambitions in religious and pan-Islamic rhetoric.

The Islamic State devotes significant space to warning its followers against aligning with Iran under any circumstances. It explicitly denounces what it describes as “a growing trend” among some Sunnis to regard Iran as a temporary ally in the war against Israel. Such thinking, it argues, represents a fundamental theological error and a betrayal of Islamic doctrine. IS insists that Shia Iran, despite its hostility toward Israel, remains a far more insidious threat to Sunni Islam due to its ability to manipulate public opinion under the guise of resistance.

Throughout the editorial, IS employs highly sectarian language to underscore its hostility toward Shia Islam. It reiterates longstanding accusations that Iran has waged war against Sunnis in Iraq and Syria. It accuses Tehran of having betrayed its allies—namely, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Bashar al-Assad in Syria, and Hamas in Gaza—when faced with Israeli attacks. These betrayals, the editorial claims, expose the hollowness of Iran’s claims to support the Palestinian cause. Instead, IS describes Iran’s conduct as being entirely guided by “Persian national interests,” not by genuine religious or moral commitment.

The editorial also expresses disdain for what it calls the “un-Islamic sacralisation” of the Palestinian issue. According to IS, many Muslims have substituted nationalism for religious principle, elevating the Palestinian cause to a level of sanctity that contradicts the core tenets of Islam. It critiques the indiscriminate use of the term “martyr” to honor anyone killed in the Palestinian struggle, even non-Muslims and left-wing foreign fighters such as members of the Japanese Red Army. By doing so, IS accuses the Muslim world of diluting the concept of martyrdom and losing sight of religious authenticity.

Importantly, the editorial shifts from critique to incitement. It calls upon IS supporters to “exploit the chaos” generated by the Iran-Israel conflict. The group urges its members to prepare for jihad, acquire weapons, and recruit new fighters, emphasizing that this moment must not be wasted. “Do not wait for your enemies to weaken each other,” the editorial warns. “Take the initiative before they take it from you.” The call is vague in operational detail, but unmistakably militant in tone. It stresses that the distraction of the major powers—engaged in mutual warfare—provides the perfect opening for a renewed jihadist offensive.

The editorial also renews IS’s longstanding anti-Semitic narrative, asserting that Jews dominate the political, media, and financial centers of the West. It claims that recent support for Israel from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany only proves that Western governments are under Jewish control. From this perspective, the group calls for attacks on Jews not only in Palestine but “wherever they are found,” presenting the conflict not as one limited to the Middle East but as part of a global religious war.

Though the editorial frames both Israel and Iran as targets, it is clear that the group reserves its most profound hostility for Iran. Iran is depicted not merely as an enemy state, but as a sectarian and ideological rival that has dangerously deceived the Muslim masses. IS repeatedly reminds readers that Iran’s confrontation with Israel is strategic and self-serving, not rooted in sincere support for Islam. Worse, by presenting itself as the defender of Palestine, Iran has succeeded in gaining the misplaced support of many Sunni Muslims—a reality that IS views as a critical threat to its own legitimacy and theological purity.

In contrast to groups like al-Qaeda, which have historically prioritized the Palestinian issue and even expressed tactical support for Iran at times, IS makes clear that it regards such alliances as heretical and compromising. Its approach is defined by ideological isolationism and an absolute rejection of all forms of religious and political pragmatism.

In sum, the Islamic State’s position on the Iran-Israel conflict is unambiguous and inflammatory. The group categorically rejects both states as illegitimate and enemies of Islam. It condemns all expressions of solidarity with Iran. Instead, it uses the moment to call for global jihad, framing the war as a divine opportunity to strike both enemies and reclaim religious supremacy. The message is aimed not just at reaffirming IS’s purity in contrast to its rivals, but also at reenergizing its base in preparation for a new phase of confrontation.