Evolving Balance of Power in the Middle East: Iran-Israel Standoff Shaping Iranian Foreign Policy

The Israel-Iranian conflict can be considered a major contributor to changes in the power balance in the Middle East. This competition has profound implications for regional stability and has impacted almost every realm of Iran's foreign policy. It influences its decision-making regarding its domestic policies, strategy on military actions, neighboring countries, and its nuclear plan. If both countries head towards different goals, which they currently are, there is a high possibility of an escalation that will have severe impacts on both regional and international security. The principal item of Iran's "deterrence strategy" is developing and placing missiles capable of reaching Israel. Iran also threatens Israel directly and makes a buffer zone through proxy peoples' wars in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. This conflict has led Iran closer to many non-state actors and governments in the region than ever before.