The war that erupted between Israel and Iran late Thursday night has sent shockwaves across the Middle East, reaching deep into all aspects of life — including sports.
Two of the most prominent figures in Iranian football have found themselves at the heart of this unfolding crisis.
Mehdi Taremi, star striker for Iran's national team and new signing for Italian giants Inter Milan, was vacationing in Iran when the conflict broke out. Just days earlier, he attended Iran’s Football Awards ceremony, where he was named the country’s Player of the Year. Taremi was scheduled to travel to Los Angeles over the weekend to join his Inter teammates for the FIFA Club World Cup, where they were set to face Monterrey on Wednesday. But the closure of Iranian and regional airspace left him stranded.
As of now, Taremi has been unable to leave Iran. Italian media reports suggest that even if he manages to find an alternate route, the 31-year-old is unlikely to take part in the tournament’s remaining matches. His highly anticipated debut for Inter will have to wait.
Meanwhile, Ali Karimi, one of the most iconic footballers in Iranian history — and a longtime critic of the regime — has taken to social media to denounce the Iranian leadership with rare ferocity. Karimi, who starred for Bayern Munich and earned 127 caps for the national team, accused the regime of bringing the conflict upon itself.
"Since 2008, you've ignored the people — raped, blinded, and killed them. And now, when you're cornered, you ask for mercy? Israel’s attack is the result of 46 years of arrogance, oppression, and crimes. You — not Israel — are the true enemies of the Iranian people,” he wrote on Instagram and X.
Karimi’s posts have gone viral across the Persian-speaking world, drawing both support and criticism as the war continues to unfold.
Sports on Hold In Israel
In Israel, the Ministry of Culture and Sport announced early Friday morning that all planned cultural and sporting events are suspended until further notice. The timing, coinciding with the off-season in Israeli and Iranian football, has meant that relatively few top-tier events were immediately affected.
However, one major event that did take a hit is Game 3 of the Israeli basketball playoff finals — a dramatic series between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem, currently tied 1–1. The decisive matchup, scheduled for Monday at Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv, has been postponed. All domestic basketball games across Israel have also been suspended indefinitely.
The conflict's continuation could severely impact football operations in Israel, particularly the preparation for next season. Some Israeli clubs are scheduled to begin European qualifying matches as early as next month, a logistical and security nightmare under current conditions.
Israel’s Judo team won’t be able to take off to the World Championship taking place in Hungary, what will prevent two olympic medalists, Raz Hershko and Inbar Lanir taking part in the competition.
In athletics, the Israeli Track and Field Association has canceled all competitions, including the national steeplechase championship.
Tragedy Hits Iran’s Sports Community
The initial wave of airstrikes on Tehran claimed the lives of two athletes.
Hamid Toumari, a former elite shooter who represented Iran in Asian competitions and served in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was killed overnight between Friday and Saturday.
Parsa Mansour, a professional padel player, was reportedly killed on his way home from a national team training session, according to the Iranian Tennis Federation.
The war between Israel and Iran is rapidly becoming one of the most consequential regional conflicts in recent history — with broad social, political, and geopolitical ramifications. Sports, like every other arena of public life, is being swept up in its path.
If the fighting continues in the coming days and weeks, more events will be canceled, more athletes will be affected, and the long-term shape of Middle Eastern sport may change in ways we’re only beginning to understand.
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