Iran, US: equations ...
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A clear example of this was witnessed by the international community at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, when delegates left the hall during Netanyahu's speech.
More important, however, is Israel's parliamentary election on October 27. The election race has created considerable stress and uncertainty for Netanyahu and his Likud party. Against this backdrop, Netanyahu sees a resumption of the war with Iran as a way out of the current situation.
It should also be noted that Israel has sought in recent months to take advantage of the situation by avoiding direct involvement in US attacks. It has attempted, first, to partially repair the damage caused by missile attacks and strengthen its defensive systems. At the same time, it has sought to have the United States bear the costs of the low-intensity war of recent months.
China's position also deserves attention. At the first level, Beijing is not seeking continued tensions in the region and prefers the main region from which China obtains its energy supplies to remain stable and peaceful.
At another level, however, China may not be unwilling to see a continuation of a low-intensity war in the Persian Gulf if this keeps the United States engaged in the region and prevents Washington from putting its full weight behind pressure on China.
In other words, such a situation could give Beijing an opportunity to advance its Taiwan strategy and engage in stronger competition with its main global rival at a lower cost.
Russia's position also deserves attention. With the war in Ukraine becoming increasingly prolonged, tensions with Europe intensifying on the one hand, and extensive US sanctions on the other, Moscow is likely to closely follow developments in the region and assess how changes in the regional situation may affect its own strategic interests.
A continuation of tensions in the region could, from Moscow's perspective, have the effect of drawing some of the international attention and pressure toward developments in the Middle East, while also influencing the broader strategic balance between Russia, the United States and Europe.
Given these considerations and the complexities governing the regional and international equations, Iran needs to carefully analyze the policies and considerations of each actor that has an interest or a role in the current situation.
Iran should design and pursue its political and military actions and responses in a way that takes these calculations into account and allows it to achieve the greatest possible gains at the lowest possible cost.
The developments surrounding Iran and the United States are therefore not shaped solely by the direct confrontation between the two countries. The calculations of Israel, China and Russia, as well as their respective interests in the continuation or reduction of tensions, are also important elements of the broader regional equation.