We’ve been looking at the war on Iran through the wrong lens, according to Iranian-American religion scholar Reza Aslan. It’s tempting to think that economic sanctions or military strikes will change Iran’s course overnight. But Reza’s words on The State of Belief challenge that assumption, revealing a deeper truth about history, identity, and the illusions we cling to.

Reza shares a striking story from his book on Howard Baskerville, the American missionary who fought alongside Iranians in 1907, to the century-long struggle for freedom that defines Iran’s modern history. More than just a series of revolutions, these events are part of an enduring quest for dignity and sovereignty—a fight that has repeatedly been undermined by foreign interference and internal repression.

Most surprising is how he dismantles the myth that religion uniquely dictates Iran’s actions. “Religion is just one part of identity,” he explains. “It’s used by regimes for control, but it doesn’t inherently define the country’s trajectory.” That shift in perspective is illuminating. It reminds us that Iran’s complex history of democracy protests—dating back to 1905—has always been about Iranians asserting their right to shape their future. Yet, external powers have consistently interfered, from Britain in 1905 to the CIA-backed coup of 1953, and now, the current military escalation.

Reza sounds a warning for those celebrating the fall of the Supreme Leader: external attacks are a most effective way to rally internal support, invoking the surge in support for George W. Bush in the immediate aftermath of 9/11 as one relatable example. He challenges us to let go of simplistic hopes that bombs or sanctions will transform Iran overnight. Real change, Reza suggests, comes from within—and it will take generations, because history is not so much context as it is fuel for ongoing resistance and conflict.

MORE ABOUT REZA ASLAN:

Reza Aslan is a scholar of religion, a best-selling author, a college professor, and a public intellectual who has a gift for making complex religious history accessible to broad audiences. Reza’s books include Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth, and Beyond Fundamentalism: Confronting Religious Extremism in the Age of Globalism. He has hosted television programs exploring religion and culture, such as Believer with Reza Aslan.

Born in Iran, living in Los Angeles, Reza brings a depth of understanding to the current situation that is important to explore. The nuance he brings is expressed in a moving New York Times essay titled, The Mistake That Iranians Make About America.