The Escalation of the Iran–Israel Conflict and Its Implications for Middle East Geopolitical Stability
Keywords:
Conflict, Geopolitical Stability, Iran, Israel, The Middle EastAbstract
The Iran–Israel conflict stands as one of the most critical and enduring issues shaping the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. Rooted in ideological antagonism and mutual perceptions of existential threat, this rivalry has evolved into a multidimensional confrontation involving military, political, and proxy dynamics. This study aims to analyze the root causes of the conflict, trace its historical escalation, and assess its implications for regional stability. Using a qualitative approach, data were obtained through a systematic literature review of scholarly journals, policy documents, and verified international reports. The collected materials were analyzed using content analysis to interpret the geopolitical and sociological dimensions of the conflict. The findings reveal that the conflict has progressed through six major phases, from proxy warfare to open military confrontation in 2025, which has triggering intensified militarization, shifting regional alliances, and heightened involvement of major powers. The conflict has induced at least five significant implication to the region, i.e: destabilization of the regional security architecture, acceleration of arms race and regional militarization, reconfiguration of regional alliances and the rise of new blocs, disruption of global trade and energy security, and intensification of refugee flows and humanitarian crises. The research concludes that regional stability requires a renewed multilateral mechanism emphasizing preventive diplomacy, confidence-building, and cooperative security. Establishing a permanent Middle Eastern Security Forum under the coordination of the United Nations and regional organizations is recommended as a long-term solution to manage the Iran–Israel rivalry and prevent further escalation that could endanger global peace and economic stability.
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