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Relations (1)
related 6.83 — strongly supporting 105 facts
Iran is a nation-state located within the Middle East, a region where it exerts significant geopolitical influence as described in [1] and [2]. The two are intrinsically linked through Iran's strategic objectives, military actions, and diplomatic engagements within the broader Middle Eastern landscape, as evidenced by [3], [4], and [5].
Facts (105)
Sources
A Status Quo Power in a Changing Region: Iran's Regionalism in ... cambridge.org 17 facts
claimIran is unlikely to adopt an active regionalist stance in the South Caucasus as long as the Middle East remains the focal point of its foreign policy.
claimExternal pressures, including ongoing international sanctions, ideological and security preoccupations with the Arab Middle East, and deteriorating relations with Western powers, have impeded Iran's ability to project geopolitical influence or formulate a strategy for regional integration in the South Caucasus.
claimThe USA has pursued a policy of excluding Iran by consolidating security relationships with Arab monarchies and Israel to highlight their collective antagonism towards Iran in the Middle East.
claimDue to Iran's confrontational foreign policy toward the post-Cold War liberal international order and its actions in the Middle East, states in the South Caucasus perceive Iran's regional policy as aggressive and interventionist.
claimIran views the South Caucasus as strategically connected to the Caspian Sea and Central Asia on one side, and the Middle East on the other.
referenceThe security-military paradigm in Iran’s foreign policy prioritizes the Middle East, which influences the country’s behavior and limits its ability to prioritize multiple regions simultaneously.
claimTehran is concerned that the de facto alliance between Israel, Turkey, and Azerbaijan in the South Caucasus mirrors US efforts to contain Iran in the Middle East.
perspectiveIranian leaders have developed a conviction that Iran should primarily remain a Middle Eastern power, dismissing other regions as unable to enhance Iran’s global status.
claimUnlike the Middle East, the South Caucasus is not considered part of Iran's strategic depth from an ideological standpoint.
claimIran's strategic significance in the Middle East is linked to the changing global security system that followed the 9/11 events.
claimSince 9/11, Iran’s foreign policy has increasingly concentrated on the Middle East due to geopolitical considerations.
claimIran serves as a geopolitical bridge between the Persian Gulf and the broader Middle East, and South Asia, Central Asia, and the South Caucasus.
claimThe potential collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria and shifts in the Middle Eastern geopolitical landscape have tilted the balance of power to the detriment of Iran and Russia, while strengthening Turkey's position.
claimThe 2011 Arab Spring developments allowed Iran to expand its involvement in the geopolitics of the Middle East.
perspectiveKayhan Barzegar argues that Iran's main elements of national power—a robust nation-state, strategic geographical location, and a potent ideology—grant the country a prominent status in the Middle East.
referenceIran is geographically situated between the Middle East, which is dominated by geopolitical logic, and Eurasia, where geoeconomic logic prevails.
claimIran is situated adjacent to five regional subsystems: the Persian Gulf, the Middle East, Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and the Indian subcontinent.
Opportunities for Collective Regional Security in the Middle East carnegieendowment.org 9 facts
claimThe interplay between Iran and Israel has entrenched the Middle East in a protracted war of attrition, characterized by mutual escalations that perpetuate instability and a cycle of violence.
claimThe Middle East's instability is fueled by its status as a battleground for direct and proxy conflicts, specifically Israel's rivalry with Iran and a broader regional arms race.
claimThe ongoing conflict in the Middle East, driven by the ambitions of Israel and Iran, has resulted in significant human suffering, material destruction, and the erosion of regional stability, hindering prospects for peace and sustainable development.
accountBetween 2020 and 2023, the government of Türkiye recalibrated its Middle East policies, taking steps to rebuild diplomatic and economic ties with Arab governments and Iran, and initiated a partial retreat from its unilateral support for armed Islamist groups in Syria.
perspectiveA regional security framework in the Middle East must be grounded in fair and enforceable principles and include all countries from Iran in the east to Morocco in the west to foster trade, promote good neighborhood practices, and leverage regional resources.
claimIran is increasingly vulnerable and isolated in the Middle East due to the erosion of its ideological and political narrative.
claimEgypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Türkiye, Israel, and Iran possess significant political, military, economic, and diplomatic influence that allows them to impact regional stability in the Middle East.
claimIsrael, Iran, Türkiye, and the United Arab Emirates continue to wield military capabilities in ways that perpetuate cycles of violence and delay meaningful collective action in the Middle East.
claimIsrael has emerged as a strategic winner in the current Middle East conflict, with Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, and their allies substantially weakened, though the country remains in a precarious position.
Editorials Supporting an Iran Nuclear Deal, January - September 2015 armscontrol.org 8 facts
perspectiveThe Sacramento Bee editorial board stated on March 10, 2015, that diplomacy is preferable to a military strike against Iran because diplomacy could delay a potential nuclear conflict for a decade, whereas a strike could spark a wider war in the Middle East.
perspectiveThe Fresno Bee editorial board stated on March 11, 2015, that diplomacy delaying a potential nuclear conflict with Iran for a decade is preferable to a military strike that could trigger a wider war in the Middle East.
perspectiveMilitary action against Iran would likely only delay the development of an Iranian nuclear program for a few years and would increase tensions in the Middle East.
perspectiveThe News & Observer editorial board characterized the actions of Republican senators who signed a letter to Iranian leaders as an act of partisanship intended to obstruct President Barack Obama's efforts to prevent war in the Middle East.
quoteThe Asahi Shimbun stated that the possibility of the United States and Iran working together to bring stability to the Middle East has become more real.
claimThe StarTribune editorial board warned on March 10, 2015, that if Iran successfully claims that the United States, rather than Iran, caused the collapse of nuclear talks, the international sanctions regime against Iran could unravel without Iran compromising on its nuclear program, potentially leading to military action and a major Middle East war.
quoteThe Star stated that U.S. President Barack Obama and other world leaders have managed to rein in Iran’s nuclear program, granting the Middle East a reprieve from the threat of war.
perspectiveThe Sacramento Bee editorial board argued on March 10, 2015, that using diplomacy to delay Iran's nuclear development for a decade is preferable to a military strike that could spark a wider war in the Middle East.
The Role of Iran and Russia as Regional Powers in the Middle East ... academia.edu 7 facts
claimThe main hypothesis of the article 'The Role of Iran and Russia as Regional Powers in the Middle East (2011-2020)' is that Iran and Russia have played a key role in integrating their interests and deterring the United States in the Middle East, given geopolitical developments, the strategic importance of the region, tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, and the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Syria.
referenceS. Toosi authored the article 'Iran Is Winning the Battle for the Middle East's Future,' published by Foreign Policy.
referenceC. Therme authored the article 'Iran and Russia in the Middle East: Toward a Regional Alliance,' published in The Middle East Journal, Vol. 72, No. 4, pp. 549-562.
claimFollowing the Arab Spring, Iran's influence in the Middle East intensified significantly, as evidenced by its military support for regimes such as the Assad government in Syria, which altered local power balances.
referenceT. Osman's 2017 article 'Iran's Play for Middle Eastern Leadership', published in Foreign Affairs, analyzes Iran's strategic objectives for regional influence.
claimIran and Russia have cooperated politically and militarily to prevent United States influence in the Middle East, driven by factors such as the withdrawal of the United States from the nuclear deal with Iran, the imposition of sanctions, and opposition to unilateralism.
claimThe United States' military and economic presence in the Middle East serves as a central challenge for both Iran and Russia, influencing their strategic calculations and diplomatic engagements.
War by Proxy: Iran's Growing Footprint in the Middle East - CSIS csis.org 7 facts
perspectiveIranian leaders view irregular warfare, including support for non-state partners, as a critical element for competing with the United States in the Middle East.
referenceThe International Crisis Group published a report titled 'Iran’s Priorities in a Turbulent Middle East' in April 2018, which discusses Iranian efforts to improve its rocket and missile inventory.
claimIran has utilized its partners and activities in an attempt to establish a land bridge across the Middle East.
perspectiveIranian leaders have assessed that irregular warfare, including support to non-state partners, is a critical element for competing with the United States in the Middle East.
referenceVali Nasr's article 'Iran Among the Ruins: Tehran’s Advantage in a Turbulent Middle East,' published in Foreign Affairs (March/April 2018), discusses Iran's strategic advantage in the Middle East.
claimPublic opinion polls suggest that support for Iran across the Middle East, including in Iraq, has declined.
claimIran is actively working to establish land corridors across the Middle East to increase its ability to move fighters and material between theaters of operation.
The crises in the Middle East: reshaping the region's geopolitical ... link.springer.com 6 facts
claimRegional medium powers, specifically Egypt, Turkey, and Iran, are shifting their policies and actions in opposition to the United States' strategy in the Middle East.
claimThe Middle East is currently on the edge of a direct war between regional powers, specifically Iran and Israel.
claimThe emergence of Turkey, Iran, and Israel as new middle power centers has introduced additional complexity to managing the balance of power between regional actors in the Middle East.
claimThe regional rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran has a significant impact on the evolution of the regional order in the Middle East.
claimHeibach and Cerioli (2024) identify the rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran as a defining feature of the Middle East's political landscape, driven by Shia-Sunni sectarian tensions, ideological differences, and geopolitical ambitions.
referenceGawdat Bahgat authored the article 'Israel and Iran in the New Middle East', published in Contemporary Security Policy in 2006, volume 27, issue 3, pages 363–375.
From Arab Spring to regional reset: Saudi-Iranian rivalry ... - Frontiers frontiersin.org 5 facts
referenceWorld Politics Review published the article 'Iran and Saudi Arabia Battle for Supremacy in the Middle East' in Tampa, FL in 2024.
referenceCanadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (2018) published the factsheet 'Saudi Arabia & Iran: A Regional Rivalry'.
referenceWorld Politics Review published an article in 2024 titled 'Iran and Saudi Arabia Battle for Supremacy in the Middle East'.
referenceT. R. Grumet authored the work 'New Middle East Cold War: Saudi Arabia and Iran's Rivalry,' published by the University of Denver in Denver, CO in 2015.
referenceM. Fantappie and V. Nasr authored the article 'A New Order in the Middle East? Iran and Saudi Arabia's Rapprochement Could Transform the Region,' published by Foreign Affairs in New York, NY in 2023.
Iran's Regional Armed Network - Council on Foreign Relations cfr.org 4 facts
perspectiveIran aims to leverage its network of partners to increase its regional hegemony and remove Western powers from the Middle East.
claimSuspected proxy forces for Iran killed three U.S. troops in Jordan and injured dozens more on U.S. military bases across the Middle East in the months following October 2023, according to U.S. officials.
claimIran's network of armed partners, including Hezbollah and the Houthis, serves to strengthen Iranian influence in the Middle East and poses a significant threat to the United States and its allies, particularly Israel.
perspectiveIran aims to leverage its network of partners to achieve regional hegemony and remove Western powers from the Middle East.
Reforming Iran's Energy Policy: Strategies for Sustainability ... jpia.princeton.edu 3 facts
claimInternational policy toward Iran became increasingly rigid, aiming to limit Iran’s economic and political influence in the Middle East and beyond, particularly as tensions escalated over its nuclear program.
referenceDjavad Salehi-Isfahani published a chapter titled 'Energy Subsidy Reform in Iran' in the 2016 book 'The Middle East Economies in Times of Transition,' which analyzes the implementation and impact of energy subsidy reforms in Iran.
measurementIran possesses 24 percent of the oil reserves in the Middle East and 12 percent of the global total.
Geopolitical, Strategic, and Humanitarian Implications of ... ardd-jo.org 3 facts
claimIran recognizes that it can outlast U.S. military engagement in the Middle East, particularly given domestic U.S. opposition to deploying ground troops.
claimChina has limited its engagement in the Middle East to economic activities and selective diplomacy, most notably by brokering the Iran-Saudi rapprochement in 2023.
claimThe conflict over Iran’s nuclear program and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict are analytically distinct but deeply interconnected in terms of regional dynamics in the Middle East.
Iran War: Kinetic, Cyber, Electronic and Psychological Warfare ... resecurity.com 3 facts
accountA joint Israel-US military action began in Iran on Saturday, February 28, 2026, with the stated goal of regime change and altering the political map of the Middle East and the global order.
claimIran has declared all U.S. financial institutions, technology companies, and multinational corporations operating in the Middle East as justified targets.
measurementTotalEnergies reported a 15% loss in oil and gas output due to the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran causing field closures across the Middle East, including in the UAE, Qatar, and Iraq.
The Limits of Iran's Proxy Empire | The New Yorker newyorker.com 3 facts
quoteRanda Slim, a program lead for the Middle East at the Stimson Center, stated: "they feel that Iran is facing an existential war, and what happens to Iran is going to happen to them, so in a way they are intertwined in Hezbollah’s future."
claimThe Axis of Resistance is an informal Iran-led military coalition in the Middle East that includes Hezbollah, the Houthis, Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria, various Iraqi Shiite militias like the Popular Mobilization Forces, and Sunni militants including Hamas.
claimThe Houthis are a key component of the Axis of Resistance, which is an informal Iran-led military coalition in the Middle East.
Geopolitical, economic and humanitarian implications of the 2026 ... middleeastmonitor.com 2 facts
claimThe 2026 US-Israel-Iran conflict is likely to reshape the Middle East's balance of power, potentially leading to a decline in Iranian regional influence and a consolidation of Israeli military dominance.
claimIran’s support for non-state actors, including Hezbollah and regional militias, has heightened strategic competition across the Middle East.
After Khamenei: Regional Reckoning and the Future of Iran's Proxy ... stimson.org 2 facts
claimIran's proxy networks contributed to ideological polarization in the Middle East, undermined state institutions, and conducted terrorist acts targeting domestic opponents and Iran's regional and extra-regional foes.
claimCountries in the Middle East are uncertain about the future political order in Iran following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Iran's Islamist Proxies in the Middle East - Wilson Center wilsoncenter.org 2 facts
claimSince the 1979 revolution, Iran has established a network of proxies across the Middle East, and as of 2022, Tehran maintained alliances with more than a dozen major militias that challenge local and neighboring governments.
claimThe United States has sanctioned Iran's network of militia proxies in the Middle East since 1984 across six presidential administrations to contain Tehran's regional influence.
War in the Middle East and the Role of AI-Powered Cyberattacks manaramagazine.org 2 facts
referenceS. Gatlan reported in Bleeping Computer on March 2, 2026, that the United Kingdom warned of Iranian cyberattack risks amid the Middle-East conflict.
claimThe United Kingdom’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) warned organizations with ties to the Middle East to prepare for Iranian cyberattacks during the escalation of the Israel–Iran confrontation in early March 2026.
How the war in Ukraine changed Russia's global standing | Brookings brookings.edu 1 fact
claimPrior to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Russia had established itself as a regional player in the Middle East capable of maintaining diplomatic communication with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the Gulf states, Iran, and Israel.
Monday Briefing: Israel-Hamas war: Conflict scenarios, ... mei.edu 1 fact
claimThe United States deployed a second aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East to serve as a deterrent against Lebanese Hezbollah, Iran, and other actors threatening to widen the Israel-Hamas war.
The Implications Of Iran's Failed Proxy Strategy - Hoover Institution hoover.org 1 fact
claimIran and its proxies are increasingly perceived as "paper tigers" across the Middle East.
Iran Country Report 2026 - BTI Transformation Index bti-project.org 1 fact
claimMost countries in the Middle East remain wary of Iran's intentions, balancing pragmatic cooperation with fears regarding Iran's pursuit of regional hegemony.
The Broadening Conflict: Security Developments and Regional ... mei.edu 1 fact
claimAlex Vatanka is a Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute who specializes in Middle Eastern regional security with a focus on Iran.
The Expanding Iran War - ISPI ispionline.it 1 fact
claimSince the February 28 attack, almost every country in the Middle East has been hit by either the US-Israeli coalition or Iranian forces, resulting in casualties and significant damage.
Iran at a Historical Crossroads - E-International Relations e-ir.info 1 fact
referenceThe Hoover Institution analysis observed that across the Middle East, Iran and its proxies are increasingly viewed as 'paper tigers,' and memes mocking Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah’s previous boasts have proven empty.
War in Ukraine | Global Conflict Tracker - Council on Foreign Relations cfr.org 1 fact
claimU.S. President Donald Trump described a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin as "very good," noting that the conversation covered Ukraine and the Middle East, and that Putin expressed a desire to be helpful regarding Iran.
Climate Shocks Are Redefining Energy Security energypolicy.columbia.edu 1 fact
claimThe conflict involving Iran has expanded to include actors across the Middle East, raising concerns about broader regional escalation.
Domestic and International Factors Affecting Iranian Foreign Policy ... academia.edu 1 fact
referenceThe International Crisis Group published the 2003 report 'Iran: Discontent and Disarray' in their Middle East Briefing 11:1-15.
Military escalation and diverging regional strategies in the Middle East theloop.ecpr.eu 1 fact
claimGulf states in the Middle East are pursuing a strategy of de-escalating conflict, while Iran is preparing for a prolonged war of attrition for survival by exploiting regional pressure points.
The Middle East Conflict and the Future of the Region's Political Order internationalaffairs.org.au 1 fact
claimGeopolitical analysis of the current Middle East crisis focuses on two interconnected levels: regional and global geopolitical competition, and Iran’s internal political and social structures.
Miscellanea: The War in Iran - A Collection of Unmitigated Pedantry acoup.blog 1 fact
claimThe JCPOA allowed Iran to reinforce its network of proxies across the Middle East, which negatively impacted the interests of Israel and the United States.
Iran's Proxy Strategy and the Extent of Surrogate Autonomy - AHS alexanderhamiltonsociety.org 1 fact
referenceThe International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) published a report titled 'Iran’s Networks of Influence in the Middle East' in 2020, which details Iran's regional influence networks.
United States Foreign Intelligence Relationships everycrsreport.com 1 fact
claimLong-standing intelligence ties between the United States and SAVAK in Iran proved to be a significant liability for the United States during the 1979 Iranian Revolution and hostage crisis, despite initially being seen as a benefit to hedge against Soviet influence in the Middle East.
The Axis of Instability: Iran, Proxy Warfare, and the Fragmenting ... meforum.org 1 fact
perspectiveThe author argues that regional stability in the Middle East must be pursued as a strategy that treats proxy warfare as the central instrument of Iran's power, rather than as a diplomatic talking point.
The Arab Approach to Mediation—Reshaping Diplomacy in a ... washingtoninstitute.org 1 fact
accountOman transitioned from a state that nearly facilitated Iraqi strikes against Iran during the 1980s Iraq-Iran War to acting as a 'Switzerland of the Middle East' and a quiet facilitator in international diplomacy.
Escalating Middle East Conflict and Its Global Geostrategic ... diplomatmagazine.eu 1 fact
claimCommentators suggest that a large-scale conflict involving Iran would be highly complex due to the region's geography, political dynamics, and network of allied groups.
Iran in crisis: the landscape after the Twelve-Day War - OSW osw.waw.pl 1 fact
claimIn the event of another attack, Iran would likely retaliate with air strikes on Israeli territory and broader actions in the Middle East targeting Western interests, specifically those of the United States and the European Union.
A Region at Capacity: War, Displacement, and the Limits of ... mecouncil.org 1 fact
claimThe war involving Israel, the United States, and Iran highlights the fragility of the humanitarian landscape in the Middle East.
Twenty questions (and expert answers) about the Iran war atlanticcouncil.org 1 fact
claimIran has cultivated, armed, trained, and financed a network of non-state armed organizations across the Middle East, with links to Africa and Latin America.
Could Iran's Proxy Model Reach the Sahel? – HORN REVIEW hornreview.org 1 fact
claimThe leader of Burkina Faso has expressed support for Iran regarding the current situation in the Middle East.