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Understanding The Iran-Israel Conflict And Its Bahamian Impact

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The Iranian-Israel conflict has now reached a boiling point, but how did we get here, and what implications does it have for a small country like The Bahamas?

Published

6 months ago

June 24, 2025

Italia Hall

MIDDLE EAST – The Iranian-Israel conflict has now reached a boiling point, but how did we get here, and what implications does it have for a small country like The Bahamas?

The Iran-Israeli conflict is a crisis decades in the making, but before the fighting, there was once quiet cooperation.

 Back in the 1960’s and 70’s, Iran and Israel worked together behind the scenes, trading oil and intelligence.

However, that all changed in 1979, when Iran’s Islamic Revolution forced out its leader and took control of the country.

 The new leadership cut ties with Israel, and the two countries became enemies.

Since then, Iran has backed anti-Israel groups, while Israel responded with targeted strikes and secret missions to stop Iran from building nuclear weapons.

Tensions hit a new high in 2020 when Iran’s top military nuclear scientist was killed, and international media outlets say he was killed by a remote-controlled machine gun while he was in a car.

Then in 2023, HAMAS militants stormed into Israel from Gaza, killing over one thousand people and taking a number of hostages.

 Iran, a longtime backer of HAMAS, offered their support.

Now, the conflict is escalating again as Israel launched attacks on nuclear infrastructure owned by Iran, following U.S. bombing of three Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend.

Then on Monday, Iran fired back, launching missiles at a U.S. military base in Qatar.

Two Bahamian aviation students are now stranded, which is proof that this growing conflict is starting to trigger ripple effects around the world.

 Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper confirmed that the government doesn’t know how many Bahamians may be in the middle east but says others could be there without making their presence known.

 Here at home, the government is keeping a close watch on what this could mean economically, especially when it comes to oil prices, shipping routes and supply chains.

Additionally the government says there’s no need to panic, but urges Bahamians to stay alert.