Iran–Israel Confrontation in the Middle East

Abstract

The paper explores the historical, geopolitical, and strategic dim­ensions of the Iran–Israel confrontation within the broader cont­ext of the Middle East. The analysis draws upon both historical chro­nicles (such as relations between the Persian Empire and the Jewish diaspora) and the examination of contemporary military and diplo­matic developments, allowing for a complex understanding of the logic behind the conflict’s evolution.

Special attention is paid to the formation of Iran’s Shiite ident­ity, the instrumentalization of the proxy strategy (Hezbollah, Houthis, IRGC), and Israel’s multi-layered military and intelligence response. The study also discusses the transformation of the U.S. role-particularly in the context of the events of 2025, when the Iran–Israel confrontation escalated into an open conflict, triggering the imp­lem­entation of Operation “Midnight Hammer.”

The paper demonstrates that Iran–Israel relations are not merely a bilateral conflict but a multi-layered systemic phenomenon enco­mpassing religious ideologies, geopolitical interests, and the redi­str­ibution of global power balances. The analysis relies on primary sou­rces, strategic studies, and data from international organizations. The findings indicate that the de-escalation of the conflict requires not only military containment but also the development of innovative diplomatic frameworks that equally account for security, sovereignty, and international legitimacy.