Iran's nuclear program resurfaces: A look at Iranian influence on the region amid Israel's response

Report by Toni Mrad, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi

The possibility of Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon has reignited concerns among Western officials.

To prevent this, the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and the U.S. was put in place, which saw American sanctions lifted in exchange for limiting Iran's nuclear program.

However, the deal faced strong opposition from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and was ultimately scrapped under former U.S. President Donald Trump.

One major criticism was that the deal did not address Iran's ballistic missile program or its influence in the region, including its support for resistance groups like the Houthis in Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Hamas in occupied Palestine. 

Despite efforts under President Joe Biden to revive the deal, diplomatic attempts have consistently failed due to the same core issues—Tehran's refusal to discuss its regional presence or its ballistic missiles, alongside unresolved issues surrounding the nuclear program.

Military action is becoming an increasingly viable alternative as diplomacy falters, highlighted by ongoing regional conflicts.

As a start, Iran's influence in the region has been under heavy attack since the beginning of the Al-Aqsa Flood War.
 
Groups like the Houthis in Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Hamas in Palestine have been facing intensified military strikes, with the intensity of the attacks growing in recent weeks. The primary goal appears to be the gradual weakening of the military capabilities of these groups.

Additionally, Israel has intensified its targeting of Hezbollah's missile stockpiles in Lebanon as part of its broader military campaign, mainly focusing on ballistic missile arsenal. Discussions about these missiles may resume in future negotiations despite these strikes. 

The third and most pressing concern is Iran's nuclear program. Despite failed diplomatic efforts, both military and diplomatic options remain on the table. Israel is preparing for a potential military response following recent Iranian attacks on Israel. 
 
One of the more severe options includes strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, echoing previous operations that targeted key Iranian nuclear scientists, including the assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, regarded as the architect of Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Ultimately, the developments in the Middle East reflect the failure of diplomacy. As tensions escalate, there is a growing consensus that all parties will eventually return to the negotiating table. 

The United States continues to push for a two-state solution as the path to peace, a stance supported by European nations and many Arab states. 

UAE adviser Anwar Gargash notably expressed the regional sentiment, stating, "The era of militias with sectarian and regional dimensions has cost the Arabs dearly and weighed heavily on the region. The future belongs to security and peace."