In the midst of the Syrian conflict, a certain Middle Eastern country has been occasionally inserted into the equation – Iran. Yes, the country that considers our stars and stripes to be nothing short of the Great Satan. So, what does Iran have to do with Syria? Understanding this question is extremely crucial for all Americans, but more importantly, it is of utmost importance that the federal government fully grasp the concept.

Surprisingly enough, during the Cold War, Iran and the United States were allies of one another. In America’s attempt to blockade Soviet influence, the United States had built up a fairly solid relationship with the Shah of Iran Mohammad Mosaddeq. Mosaddeq was a rather progressive leader in a prominently Shi’a nation (the more traditional branch of Islam), but was eventually ousted in a coup d’état, also known as the Iranian/Islamic Revolution of 1979. The Shah’s administration was replaced with an extremely oppressive and strict government under the harsh rule of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, under whom American-Iranian relations quickly eroded.

Later, the Iranian hostage crisis that resulted from Iran’s rushing of the American Embassy served to sever any previous positive relations between the two countries. In retaliation, the United States’ USS Vincennes shot down an Iranian commercial flight in 1988, killing over 250 Iranians and shattering the relationship for good.

Since the 1988 incident, Iran has made a mortal enemy of America and all those allied with the United States. The most important of these allies to Iran? Israel. Numerous times, the Iranian government has made it clear that they wish to completely wipe Israel off the map. Israel is so important to the Islamic Republic of Iran because it has extremely strong relations and support from the United States, it’s in conflict with Palestine, and because it is close in proximity to Iran.

Importantly, Iran just so happens to be a close ally of the Assad regime. This is most likely because both the Iranian government, headed by president Hassan Rouhani, and the Syrian Ba’ath regime are of the Shi’a branch of Islam. (Shockingly enough, Syria’s idea of Arab nationalism and Iran’s belief in a pan-Islamist policy have surprisingly not deteriorated relations between the two nations because they rely on a political and strategical relationship – not a religious one.) Another contributing factor to the rapport between the two nations was Syria’s quick recognition of the Islamic Republic as a legitimate nation post-Revolution.

To return to my original point, Iran poses a huge threat if the United States decides to follow through with a military strike in Syria. The Islamic Republic of Iran promised that, if provoked by a United States military attack on Syria, it would retaliate on Israel, “fanned by the flames of outrage.” This clear statement of intent delivered by Iranian Parliamentary member Mansur Haqiqatpur presents an interesting plot twist in what was originally a civil war contained within Syria’s borders.

When considering the expansion of the Syrian war, it is important to attribute much of it to refugees spilling out of the country, the need for humanitarian aid, the lack of effort on Assad’s part in containing the war, and the West’s desire to stick their nose in everyone’s business. Ultimately, this previously internal crisis has quickly evolved into a national one.

Despite the looming threat of an attack, Israel is playing it extremely cool. “The State of Israel is ready for any scenario,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the possibility of an Iranian strike against them.

Like the Israeli reaction to threats from Iran, the United States does not seem to be particularly affected by the potential threat of Iran taking up arms against Israel. “We will be engaged in the [Middle East] for the long haul…for the hard work of forging freedom and democracy is the task of a generation,” said President Obama in a recent speech.

What’s the best course of action for the United States? My personal convictions lead me to say that no action would be the best action. The United States has proved time and time again that it has no business meddling in Middle Eastern affairs. For one thing, American intervention in the Middle East has never garnered a favorable outcome. Wars drag on for a ridiculously long time, deplorable amounts of money are spent, and the death count for both sides of the conflict is disgustingly high. As the saying goes, you attract more flies with honey than with vinegar.

If the United States truly hopes to make a difference in the international community as a whole, it will learn what it truly means to be diplomatic and accept that it is generally pretty ignorant and disconnected from the Middle East (and more specifically Islam). Most importantly, though, the US needs to recognize that it does not have the right to go into any country it pleases.