Israel Targets Iran Power Structures Amid Rising Regional Conflict

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran has significantly altered regional dynamics, with Iran emerging as a prominent leader in the Muslim world due to its resilience against U.S. and Israeli pressures, as noted by Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti. Israel escalated the conflict by targeting Tehran's Evin prison, expanding strikes beyond military and nuclear sites to key regime institutions, while the U.S. has expressed interest in diplomatic solutions amidst rising regional tensions. Israel's longstanding Begin Doctrine advocates preemptive strikes against nuclear threats, exemplified by its destruction of Iraq’s Osirak reactor in 1981, and underpins its strategic posture towards Iran's nuclear ambitions, which Iran insists are peaceful but are widely suspected to be militaristic. Iran’s regional influence is reinforced through support of proxy groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, complicating its relations even within the Muslim world, and positioning it as a rival not only to Israel and the U.S. but also to Sunni Arab states. Despite threats of retaliation from Iran, global markets remain cautious, and international diplomatic efforts, including Iran’s outreach to Russia, reflect the complex geopolitical stakes involved. The conflict thus represents a multifaceted struggle involving military actions, ideological rivalries, and competing visions for regional leadership.