Iran’s Resilience Amid War and Blockade Highlighted at International Forum
Scholars and international researchers participating in a global academic forum emphasized that the military confrontation and economic blockade imposed on Iran during the recent US-Israeli aggression against Iran failed to undermine the country’s political stability and social cohesion. Instead, they argued, Iran demonstrated a form of resilience rooted in collective identity, historical consciousness, and cultural solidarity.
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The discussion entitled “Iranian Identity and the New World Order: Iranian Solidarity in the Mirror of Culture and Civilization” took place during “The 13th Scientific Pre-Session of the International Festival of New Islamic Civilization,” organized by Iran’s Islamic Culture and Relations Organization on May 20.
Among the participants were academics and experts from several countries, including Dr. Mohammad Ali Rabbani, Director General for Scientific and Academic Cooperation at the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization, South Korean professor Dr. Kim Suwan of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, cultural researcher Dr. Abdolmajid Mobaleghi, and Dr. Amir RezaeiPanah, Head of the Department of Cultural Dialogues.
During the forum, Dr. Sayyid Abdullah Assegaf of Indonesia’s Brawijaya University presented a paper titled “War, Mass Presence, and Iran’s Resilience Identity: Reflecting the Meaning-Driven Political Resilience in the 2026 Iran–US–Israel War.”
He argued that the ongoing confrontation should not merely be viewed through a military lens, but rather as a broader struggle involving identity, legitimacy, and competing global narratives.
According to the presentation, despite heavy military pressure, sanctions, and economic disruption linked to the Strait of Hormuz crisis, Iran did not experience systemic political collapse as predicted by some Western analysts. Instead, public mobilization, social solidarity, and communal participation remained active throughout the crisis.
The forum also addressed the geopolitical and economic consequences of the US-Israeli imposed war across the globe. Participants noted that tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz affected global energy markets and disrupted maritime trade routes, leading to renewed international concerns over regional stability and energy security.
In his remarks, Abdullah stressed that many Western geopolitical analyses focus primarily on material indicators such as military strength, economic output, and infrastructure damage, while overlooking ideological and cultural dimensions that contribute to national resilience.
He further highlighted the significance of the Karbala paradigm in shaping Iran’s socio-political outlook. Narratives of sacrifice, resistance, and martyrdom, he said, continue to function as cultural mechanisms that transform hardship into collective solidarity and reinforce public cohesion during periods of external pressure.
Participants also discussed the role of media narratives in shaping international perceptions of the conflict. While some Western media outlets frame Iran primarily through the lenses of sanctions, nuclear tensions, and regional security concerns, Iranian discourse has emphasized themes of sovereignty, resistance, and opposition to foreign domination.
Observers at the forum concluded that the Iranian experience reflects a broader transformation in global geopolitics, where the strength of nations is no longer measured solely by military capability or economic power, but also by their ability to preserve social unity, cultural identity, and political legitimacy under pressure.
