Leading scholars in political science, international relations and communication have called for peace, global understanding, and strategic cooperation as they dissected the roots and consequences of the ongoing 2025 Israel-Iran conflict.
This was during a thought-provoking symposium themed “The Israeli-Iranian War, 2025: Issues and Implications”, organized by the Lagos State University Centre for Peace and Security Studies (CPSS) on Wednesday, June 25, 2025.
Held at the CPSS Building, Faculty of Arts, LASU Main Campus in Ojo, Lagos, the event featured robust academic contributions from four erudite scholars, drawing a diverse audience of professors, lecturers, students, and members of the university community.
Opening the discussion, Prof Adewunmi Falode, Director of the Centre, traced the roots of the war to the West’s fear of Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
He explained that the U.S. and its ally Israel have long sought to stop Iran from enriching uranium, which they argue could lead to nuclear weapon development — a claim Iran denies, insisting its nuclear program is strictly for electricity generation.
Describing the conflict as a “contactless war,” Falode noted that it is being fought with drones and missiles rather than traditional soldiers.
“There are no clear oppressors or victims here,” he said. “What we have is a clash of interests, with both parties protecting their strategic goals.”
Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello, the Dean of the School of Postgraduate Studies, Professor Ibrahim Olawale Olateju, emphasized the need for peace.
“War might appear interesting on TV, but its consequences are far-reaching,” she cautioned, urging participants to listen to expert submissions that could help unravel the complexity of the conflict.
The Head of the Department of Political Science, Dr Abdul-Wasi Moshood, delivered the first paper, arguing that “there is no morality in international politics.”
He described the U.S. policy of “selective elimination” — the removal of nuclear threats masked as democracy promotion — and cited the cases of Iraq, Libya, and now Iran.
Dr Moshood highlighted two key takeaways from the conflict: “First, Iran should never have compromised on uranium enrichment. Second, it needs a deep internal cleansing — Israel appears to have infiltrated its military infrastructure.”
From the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Dr David Olaluwoye explored the role of communication in modern warfare. He said: “Communication — including information, misinformation, and propaganda — is a critical weapon. Both Israel and Iran have used it masterfully.” He particularly noted Iran’s effective use of social media to win global sympathy, stressing that every phase of the war — from diplomacy to ceasefire — is shaped by communication.
Dr Tobi Oshodi, another political science scholar, reflected on the war’s global implications, especially for other state and non-state actors.
He warned that “the U.S.’s willingness to strike Iran in defense of Israel could embolden powers like China to adopt similar strategies against Taiwan.” Dr Oshodi agreed with former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s position that bombing Iran won’t force it to abandon its nuclear ambitions, as “Iran sees nuclear knowledge as essential to its sovereignty.”
The final presentation came from Professor Abolade Adeniji, former Dean, Faculty of Arts. He posed a critical question: “In all this, why does Iran not have an ally to defend it, as America does for Israel?” He assessed Iran’s diplomatic ties with potential allies such as Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Russia, China, and Hezbollah, concluding that Iran stands largely alone.
“We are still in a unipolar world,” Professor Adeniji said. “The U.S. remains the only global power capable of projecting military and economic strength worldwide.” He stressed that Iran’s failure to forge durable alliances has left it vulnerable: “The real strength of a nation lies not just in its weapons, but in the reliability of its allies. Every nation needs friends.”
Audience members, including former Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Obayori, added their perspectives, rounding off what was widely acknowledged as a timely and enlightening session on one of the world’s most volatile geopolitical confrontations.
