The Storm of Geopolitical Tensions Affecting the Middle East and the World The uncertainty of the Middle East situation and its potential impact on the global energy market are emerging as major global issues in 2026. In particular, escalating tensions between the United States and Iran are further deepening geopolitical risks. This conflict has become a factor influencing international political and economic systems, extending beyond existing regional disputes. Major international media outlets present contrasting views on how U.S. sanctions against Iran and Israeli military actions are affecting the Middle East. Al Jazeera, in its March 28, 2026 commentary titled 'How the US and Israel are making the Islamic republic stronger,' offered a critical perspective, arguing that U.S. and Israeli policies toward Iran are, contrary to their intentions, actually strengthening the Islamic Republic. Commentary author Hossein Dabbagh analyzes that U.S. economic sanctions and Israel's military approach are providing opportunities for the Iranian government to bolster its internal legitimacy. Al Jazeera particularly points out that the Islamic Republic is solidifying its system based on a theological culture of martyrdom, emphasizing that this is the exact opposite of what Western nations intended. This perspective demonstrates how external pressure can sometimes lead to the paradoxical outcome of strengthening internal cohesion. Within the Iranian system, the narrative of martyrdom serves as a core tool for political solidarity, beyond mere religious discourse. As military threats from the U.S. and Israel intensify, the Iranian regime can transform this into a narrative of defending the Islamic Revolution from external enemies, thereby expanding its domestic support base. Al Jazeera's analysis suggests that Western policy toward Iran must consider long-term political consequences beyond short-term military gains. In contrast, the British Guardian criticizes U.S. policy toward Iran from a different angle. A March 30, 2026 column titled 'Distancing himself from Trump and a badly waged war in Iran might be the smartest move Albanese can make,' though written in the Australian political context, warns of the negative impacts that a potential hardline Trump administration policy toward Iran could have on the international community. This column argues that it might be a wise choice for Australian Prime Minister Albanese to distance himself from Trump's Iran policy, pointing out that a poorly executed war with Iran could drag even allies into diplomatic difficulties. Another Guardian column raises a more fundamental critique. Its April 1, 2026 piece, 'Fossil-fuel imperialism: Trump's hankering for Iranian oil runs deep,' analyzes that a desire for Iranian oil lies behind the Trump administration's Middle East policy. The column points out that 'an obsession with fossil-fuel imperialism lies at the heart of Middle East policy,' arguing that this has led the U.S. and the West to inadvertently destabilize the Middle East in their pursuit of energy security. The Guardian's perspective reflects a critical view that U.S. policy toward Iran is driven more by the pragmatic goal of securing energy resources than by human rights or democracy. Iranian oil indeed holds a significant share in the global oil market. Iran is the world's fourth-largest country in terms of proven oil reserves, with daily production reaching approximately 4 million barrels before sanctions. After the Trump administration withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) in 2018 and reimposed sanctions, Iran's oil exports plummeted, increasing international oil price volatility. Major importers of Iranian oil, particularly in the Asian market such as China and India, faced difficulties in securing alternative supplies. While both media outlets superficially appear to criticize U.S. policy toward Iran, their focuses are distinctly different. Al Jazeera highlights the impact on Iran's internal politics, specifically the paradoxical outcome of strengthening the Iranian regime. In contrast, The Guardian focuses on the policy motivations of the West, particularly the U.S., and their negative ripple effects on the international community and allies. This demonstrates subtle differences within progressive perspectives on the Middle East, distinguishing between a region-centric view and a Western-critical view. The Paradox of Strengthening the Iranian Regime and the Dilemma of Western Diplomacy Conflicts in the Middle East are becoming increasingly complex. This is due to the entanglement of sectarian rivalries, global economic interests, and regional power balances, in addition to political and military conflicts. The rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia, in particular, is a prime example of the major sectarian tensions in the region. Iran, as the leading nation of a Shiite-majority system, has maintained a long-standing antagonistic relationship with Saudi Arabia and oth
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