The situation in the Middle East continues to escalate sharply, acquiring ever wider and more dangerous proportions. In recent days, the geography of military operations has expanded: strikes are targeting not only military installations but also energy infrastructure, increasing the risk of a large-scale regional war. Experts note that these processes could lead to new, more complex challenges involving other players.
Iran expert Pooja Hosseini notes that current developments are aimed at deepening the escalation.
“We see that Israel is currently taking very provocative actions to prevent the US from withdrawing from military operations,” the Iran expert said.
According to her, the situation has gone beyond limited objectives. “While previously it was mainly attacks on government officials, last night it escalated to the point where gas pipelines in southern Iran were targeted, which poses serious risks,” our source noted.
Regarding the behavior of regional players, the Iranologist reiterates Iran’s warnings: “Iran has repeatedly warned that Arab states should not allow their territory to be used against Iran, but unfortunately, under US pressure, they have failed to prevent this and are now facing the consequences.”
Regarding possible new challenges, the Iranologist notes that Iran is currently pursuing a policy of containment, but the opposing side’s goals are long-term. “The US and Israel seek to prevent Iran from rebuilding its economy and military potential for decades, and this is precisely the logic behind their target selection. For this reason, Iran is responding very harshly, making it clear that if such actions continue, the entire region could be engulfed in flames.”
The Iranologist is also skeptical of calls from Arab and Islamic countries to end the war against Iran: “Unfortunately, the Arab states are on the wrong side. Iran did not start the war. By providing their territories, they contributed to this situation and must respond.”
In his assessment, the war will not end anytime soon. If the United States previously said it would be over in a few weeks, now we must conclude that it will drag on for a long time. According to Hosseini, control of the situation is not concentrated in a single center.
“Trump no longer has complete control over this process, and Israel’s role is increasing. It is clear that the United States is trying to form a coalition with the help of NATO and European countries to end this war with fewer losses,” Hosseini noted.
At the same time, the Iranologist believes that any potential pause must be accompanied by clear guarantees. “Iran must be confident that even if the war ends, it will not start again against it in a few months,” the Iranologist concluded.