Five reasons why Iran is involved in so many global conflicts - BBC World Service

Summary

The video examines Iran's involvement in various conflicts across the Middle East, shaped by its historical legacy and strategic goals. It highlights how Iran, once a powerful empire, now seeks regional influence through alliances with groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, while facing tensions with the U.S., Israel, and Saudi Arabia. The script discusses Iran's avoidance of direct conflicts, using proxy warfare, missile programs, and nuclear ambitions as deterrents. The narrative emphasizes Iran's desire for self-preservation, its role in global politics, and the ongoing challenges it faces.

Takeaways

• 📜 Iran has a rich historical legacy, once being the center of the Persian Empire, one of the oldest continuous civilizations in the world.
• 🔄 Iran’s influence in the Middle East is partly motivated by a desire to regain its former status as a regional power and maintain a significant role in global affairs.
• 💣 The 1979 Iranian Revolution marked a major shift in the country’s political stance, breaking away from its pro-Western alignment and adopting a strong anti-American stance.
• 🛡️ Iran supports various militia groups, known as the ‘axis of resistance’, including Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis, to expand its influence and deter attacks on Iranian soil.
• ⚖️ Iran’s involvement in regional conflicts is often strategic, prioritizing alliances that are not necessarily religiously aligned but serve to counter its regional rivals like Saudi Arabia and Israel.
• ⚔️ The Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988) had a profound impact on Iran, shaping its current military strategy of avoiding direct conflict and focusing on missile development and proxy warfare.
• ☢️ Iran’s potential nuclear ambitions are viewed as a means of ensuring its security and deterrence, especially as tensions with the US and regional powers remain high.
• 🗡️ Iran’s backing of Russia in the Ukraine conflict, including alleged weapon support, is seen as a strategic move to bolster its relationship with Moscow and challenge US influence.
• 🤝 Despite being involved in conflicts across the Middle East, Iran denies direct involvement in many actions attributed to its proxies, maintaining plausible deniability.
• 💥 Recent escalations in the Israel-Gaza conflict and Iran’s evolving defense strategies could push the country toward more direct confrontations, raising the risk of nuclear development.

Q & A

Why is Iran involved in so many regional conflicts?

Iran aims to protect its interests and influence in the Middle East, partly due to its historical legacy as a powerful empire and its desire to play a leading role in regional and global affairs. It also seeks to counter what it perceives as constant threats from the United States and its regional rivals.

How does Iran's history influence its current foreign policy?

Iran's long history, including its ancient Persian Empire, instills a sense of national pride and a belief among its elites that it deserves a significant role in world politics. Additionally, Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution marked a sharp break from Western alliances, influencing its adversarial stance towards the US and efforts to strengthen its global influence.

What role did the 1979 Iranian Revolution play in shaping Iran's modern-day relationships?

The 1979 Revolution established the Islamic Republic, which shifted Iran's foreign policy away from the West and towards a more self-reliant, anti-Western stance. This change has led to decades of hostility between Iran and the US, including economic sanctions and military confrontations.

What is the 'Axis of Resistance,' and what groups are part of it?

The 'Axis of Resistance' refers to Iran's network of proxy militias across the Middle East, which include groups like Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and militias in Iraq and Syria. These groups share Iran's opposition to US and Israeli influence in the region.

How does Iran use its missile program in its military strategy?

Iran’s missile program is a key part of its military strategy to deter attacks on its soil. The country avoids direct conflict by developing long-range missiles, which allow it to project power across the region and defend itself from potential threats without engaging in full-scale wars.

Why is there tension between Iran and Saudi Arabia?

Tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia stem from their rivalry as the leading Shia and Sunni powers in the Middle East, respectively. The two countries have been involved in proxy conflicts across the region, including in Yemen, where Iran supports the Houthis against Saudi-backed forces.

How does Iran's relationship with Hezbollah differ from its other proxies?

Hezbollah is considered the 'crown jewel' of Iran’s Axis of Resistance, and their relationship is closer and more strategic compared to other proxies like Hamas or the Houthis. Hezbollah is well-armed and poses a direct military threat to Israel from Lebanon, making it Iran's most important ally in the region.

What role does Iran play in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas?

While Iran denies direct involvement in Hamas's actions, it provides moral and financial support. Iran's strategy is to offer backing to Hamas while avoiding direct confrontation with Israel and the US, especially after the outbreak of the war following the October 2023 attacks.

What was the impact of the US withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal on Iran?

The US withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018, under President Trump, escalated tensions between the two countries. Since then, Iran has resumed parts of its nuclear program, and by the end of 2023, US intelligence suggested Iran was weeks away from potentially developing a nuclear weapon.

What are Iran's strategic goals in the Middle East?

Iran's main strategic goals are self-preservation, expanding its influence, and asserting itself as the leader of the Shia Muslim world. Its military and diplomatic efforts aim to push US forces out of the region, protect its allies, and deter attacks on Iranian soil.