The Middle East is teetering on the edge of a major crisis, as an expert warns that the latest military confrontation between Iran and Israel has pushed the region into its “most dangerous state” since the Gaza conflict began in October 2023.
“In the nearly two years of the Gaza conflict, most of the fighting has involved Israel and non-state actors such as guerrilla forces and militias,” said Professor Niu Xinchun from the China-Arab States Research Institute at Ningxia University. “This time, however, it is a large-scale military conflict between two sovereign states – Iran and Israel – both of which are major military powers in the region.”
Professor Niu emphasized the gravity of the situation, noting that a direct conflict between Iran and Israel could have significant implications for the entire Middle East. “A large-scale military conflict between the two regional military powers is extremely dangerous and will have far-reaching consequences,” he warned.
The Role of the United States
The expert also pointed out that the involvement of the United States has added another layer of complexity to the already volatile situation. “At the outset, Washington declared it would stay out of the conflict and urged Iran not to target U.S. military facilities in the region,” he said. “However, the U.S. has since confirmed it is assisting Israel in building air defense systems to counter Iranian missile strikes.”
Professor Niu cautioned that U.S. involvement could escalate tensions further. “The U.S. involvement could prompt Iran to retaliate against American military bases across the Middle East,” he explained. “This escalation could lead to a wider conflict, drawing in more countries and causing greater instability.”
A Call for Caution
With tensions rising, Professor Niu urged all parties to exercise restraint. “The coming days will be extremely, extremely dangerous for the entire region,” he cautioned. “It’s imperative that all sides work towards de-escalation to prevent a full-scale war.”
As the world watches anxiously, the unfolding events in the Middle East underscore the fragile nature of peace in the region and the potential for conflicts to spiral out of control.
