Valdai Club

The 2026 US–Israeli war against Iran represents a pivotal moment in the transformation of regional and global security structures. The conflict was not a conventional interstate war but a multidimensional confrontation involving military, economic, cyber, psychological, cognitive, media, and geopolitical domains. It accelerated structural shifts in the international system, challenged the paradigm of American “absolute supremacy,” and highlighted the growing importance of asymmetric deterrence and strategic resilience.

The rapidly evolving dynamics of global power and security have transformed Eurasia into a critical arena of competition and cooperation. The continent, spanning from the Atlantic to the Pacific, has become a focal point for major geopolitical shifts, particularly amid the waning dominance of Western-centric institutions and the rise of new regional powers. Within this context, the Islamic Republic of Iran articulates a distinct and comprehensive vision of Eurasian security—one that emphasises balance, sovereignty, inclusivity, and multilateral cooperation.

Trade corridors, as the main routes for transporting goods and services between countries, regions, and even continents, play a very important role in facilitating international trade and enhancing the ability of nations to cooperate and to interact economically with each other. Due to the fact that geopolitical developments and significant crises over the past few years have rocked some global and regional trade routes, it is evident that there is an urgent need for the “war of corridors” to be replaced by “corridor diplomacy”, as the role of corridors in today's world is not only the “transit of goods”, but also to enhance regional security and stability based on connectivity, writes Mohammad Reza Dehshiri, Dean of the School of International Relations, Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, especially for the 14th Middle East Conference of the Valdai Discussion Club and Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

The Middle East is currently experiencing one of the most critical and tense periods in its history, characterised by complex geopolitical crises and escalating conflicts. As the region faces the imminent threat of a full-scale regional war, there is an urgent need for serious dialogue aimed at establishing comprehensive and sustainable peace. This article first analyses the current situation in the Middle East and then elaborates on the requirements for achieving lasting peace in the region, writes Prof. Mohammad Reza Dehshiri for the 21st Annual Meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club.

The “Al-Aqsa Storm” operation is unprecedented, unlike any battle since the foundation of the Israeli regime. It has revealed that the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians cannot come to an end, as the two-state solution is neither the choice of the Israeli regime nor the option of the Hamas liberation movement.