Israel-Iran Escalating Confrontation:

Tensions between Israel and Iran show no signs of de-escalation, with both states engaging in direct attacks that risk triggering a broader regional conflict. The ongoing escalation has heightened fears of spillover into neighboring countries, particularly those hosting Western military bases, while conflict-affected states such as Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, and Syria face increased volatility and pressure from competing regional and international agendas. Despite multiple mediation initiative, these have yet to be accepted by either side. With growing international concern, the conflict raises urgent questions about the durability of regional security frameworks and the potential for further escalation.

In response to these developments, the Middle East Council on Global Affairs (ME Council) convened a panel of experts to provide diverse international and regional perspectives to assess the implications of the current crisis. The discussion explored several key questions: What are the security and political risks for Gulf countries and other neighboring states? How are non-state actors influencing the direction and intensity of the conflict? What shifts might we observe in Israel’s military strategy and domestic politics as the confrontation deepens? How is Iran’s internal and regional posture evolving in response? And crucially, what diplomatic pathways remain to de-escalate the crisis and prevent a wider war?