Amid the ongoing conflict between Iran and the West over several issues such as its nuclear program and regional influence, Iran's foreign policy towards the Middle East remains fraught with many challenges and risks.
The approach that Tehran is taking to preserve its interests and counter its adversaries, especially Israel, appears fraught with contradictions and adventures that could lead to serious consequences. Undoubtedly, Iran, as a major regional power with demographic, geographical and economic importance, seeks to play a key role in the region and assert its influence there, believing that maintaining this influence will strengthen its national security and protect it from any external threats, especially with the presence of allies such as Hezbollah and other armed movements in Syria, Iraq and Palestine.
However, the way in which Iran exercises this influence, and its proxy and destabilizing foreign policy, seems fraught with numerous risks that do not serve its interests in the long term. Its excessive support for allies and the mobilization of parallel forces in the region, together with the hardline policy of the “Axis of Resistance“, have led to the destabilization of the countries in the region, instead of strengthening regional security. Moreover, aggressive methods and repeated threats against Israel and its Western allies, instead of negotiations and diplomacy, have led to the emergence of an anti-Iranian alliance in the region, where Gulf Arab states have been forced to ally with Israel and continue normalizing relations out of fear of the Iranian threat.
These deep regional divisions, fueled by Iran's hardline policies, have not only harmed Israel, but have also led to a split within the ranks of the Arab states themselves into warring axes and blocs, as well as creating fertile ground for extremist organizations such as the “Islamic State“ to emerge and gain further momentum. In fact, the Iranian belief that regional influence can only be achieved by destabilizing and spreading chaos and conflict in the region is a great delusion. Historical experience shows that soft power and wise diplomacy are most effective in asserting influence and regional prestige, not just hard and military power.
It should be noted that the ongoing tensions and conflicts in the region have not failed to weaken Iran itself further, as proxy wars in Syria, Yemen, and other fronts have exhausted it, slowed its economic growth, and prompted the West to impose more sanctions. In addition, the escalation of military confrontation with Israel, both direct and indirect, puts Iran in a potential clash with great powers such as the United States...
For all these reasons, Iran seems in urgent need of a reassessment of its current approach in the Middle East. It is clear that its aggressive policies and destabilizing influence in the region have led to counterproductive results, far from its original goal of asserting its regional influence. Instead, it should focus on diplomatic solutions and regional agreements to resolve crises, abandoning the policy of perpetuating conflicts through proxy wars. Iran should also rethink its relations with its armed allies and limit their destabilizing influence in the countries that host them.
At the same time, the international community should encourage Iran to adopt this reformist approach and provide it with the necessary incentives for positive integration into the regional and global system. The isolation and marginalization of Iran may not be an effective solution, but rather push it towards even greater radicalization and dangerous adventures.
Ultimately, it is in the interest of all countries in the region to work towards achieving stability and prosperity through constructive dialogue and establishing new rules for peaceful coexistence. No one will survive the consequences of a new regional war, even if it is limited at first, and the entire region has already suffered enough from the disasters of conflicts and wars over many decades.