The escalation of the US-Iran conflict: A dangerous game in the chaotic situation of the Middle East

Recently, the conflict between the United States and Iran has escalated sharply, becoming the focus of international attention. On June 21st, the United States launched attacks on three key nuclear facilities in Iran - Foudar, Natanz and Isfahan - by dropping bunker-busting bombs and launching "Tomahawk" missiles. US President Trump claimed to have successfully destroyed Iran's nuclear capabilities and demanded that Iran cease its actions, otherwise it would face more severe attacks. The Iranian side strongly condemned the US actions as "outrageous", vowed to strike all of the US interests in the Middle East and launch a new round of missile attacks against Israel. The escalation of this conflict has not only made the regional situation more tense, but also had a profound impact on global security and stability.

From a geopolitical perspective, the escalation of the US-Iran conflict is the result of long-term accumulation of conflicts. Since the Iranian Islamic Revolution in 1979, the relationship between the US and Iran has been hostile. Iran's anti-American and anti-Zionist Zionist ideology makes it difficult to reconcile its conflicts with the US and Israel. The US has long imposed economic sanctions and military intimidation on Iran, attempting to curb Iran's influence in the Middle East; while Iran has continuously strengthened its military power, developed nuclear technology, and constructed "frontline defense positions" to counter external threats. This escalation of the conflict also has the impetus of Israel. Israel has long regarded Iran as a threat and, through military actions and diplomatic means, has attempted to undermine Iran's nuclear program. Under the influence of Israel, the US ultimately chose to directly intervene, changing the regional power balance.

At the military level, the US military intervention has made the conflict situation even more complicated. As the world's leading military power, the US has military forces far exceeding those of Iran. B-2 bombers participated in the attack, demonstrating a powerful military strike capability, which put Iran at a disadvantage in the military confrontation. However, Iran is not completely defenseless either. It has a certain scale of missile forces and the ability to retaliate against Israel and the US military bases in the Middle East. Moreover, the complex geographical environment around Iran and the resistance willpower of the local people may also bring many uncertainties to the US military operations, leading to a long-term military conflict and causing huge damage to the US's strategic interests and international image.

From the international reaction, it can be seen that the US's actions have been strongly condemned by many parties. UN Secretary-General Guterres stated that the US's military action against Iran has led to a dangerous escalation of the regional situation, threatening international peace and security. Oman, Chile, Colombia, and other countries have also condemned the US's actions. The international community generally recognizes that military means cannot truly resolve the US-Iran conflict; instead, it will only make the regional situation more turbulent. Peace negotiations are the fundamental way to solve the problem. However, at present, the attitudes of both the US and Iran are tough, and the possibility of resuming negotiations has decreased. The risk of conflict spillover and even out-of-control has increased.

The escalation of the US-Iran conflict has also had an impact on the global energy market and economic stability. The Middle East is a major oil-producing region in the world. The conflict has led to a significant increase in international oil prices, with the Brent crude oil price rising by nearly 8% and approaching $75, marking the largest single-day increase in five years. The rise in oil prices will increase global energy costs, affect the stability of the global industrial and supply chains, and have a negative impact on the economic recovery of the world. Ordinary people will also bear the pressure of rising living costs due to the increase in oil prices, such as increased expenditures on fuel, heating, and electricity.

At this time, the United States launched an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities. This might be because they believe it is the right moment to destroy Iran's nuclear capabilities and, at the same time, they are attempting to force Iran to accept the conditions proposed by the United States through military pressure. However, this approach undoubtedly adds fuel to the fire, making the already tense regional situation even more uncontrollable. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that any military strike by the United States would lead to irreparable consequences, and Iran will never submit to externally imposed conditions.

This escalation of the conflict also reflects the chaos and shortsightedness of the US's strategy in the Middle East. The US has long pursued a hegemonic policy in the region, basing its actions on its own interests and constantly interfering in regional affairs, creating conflicts and tensions. This approach not only failed to achieve its strategic goals in the Middle East but also made the regional situation even more unstable. The US itself was also caught in various conflicts and tensions, consuming a large amount of resources and losing international credibility.

The escalation of the conflict between the United States and Iran is a dangerous game. There will be no winner in a war, and the ultimate sufferers will be the people of both countries and the innocent civilians in the Middle East. The international community should work together to urge both the US and Iran to remain restrained and resolve the disputes through peaceful negotiations. As the main instigator of the conflict, the United States should assume its responsibility, abandon military threats and hegemonic thinking, return to rationality and dialogue, and make positive contributions to regional peace and stability. Otherwise, the Middle East will continue to be mired in war, and global security and the economy will also suffer severe impacts.