Israel and US Hint at Renewed Conflict with Iran

Amid escalating rhetoric, there are growing assessments that U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are planning to renew hostilities against Iran shortly after the U.S. midterm elections. This comes as non-essential personnel have been recalled from American embassies in the Gulf, and Israeli Air Force jets have been deployed to Iran's borders, possibly in anticipation of a response that could serve as a pretext for war. Trump has continued to issue bellicose statements regarding a potential resumption of conflict.

During a previous confrontation, the objectives of the war were unclear to both the U.S. and Israel. While Netanyahu now speaks of overthrowing the Iranian regime, he also claims that "90% of the goals in Iran" were achieved in the first conflict, a statement that raises questions given Iran's continued nuclear program and ballistic missile capabilities. The article questions the definition of these achieved goals, noting that the nuclear program, missile stockpiles, and the current regime remain intact.

A new Reuters report highlights the significant cost of potential conflict, detailing how Iranian attacks and its proxies have impacted at least 84 infrastructure targets in the Gulf, causing systematic shutdowns. The report found that critical equipment was repeatedly hit, leading to supply chain failures that Gulf states often concealed. The U.S. also reportedly concealed information regarding the true war aims and casualty figures.

Trump faces criticism for perceived failures in Iran and is seen as attempting to recoup losses. The article questions whether the U.S. and Israel are better prepared for confrontation now than before, or if the leaders view the conflict as a game with others paying the price in blood.

Separately, Egypt has declared a maritime memorandum of understanding between Turkey and Libya as null and void, reaffirming its commitment to its 2020 maritime agreement with Greece. This Egyptian stance contrasts with the Libyan parliament's ratification of the Ankara-Tripoli agreement, which grants Turkey extensive claims in the Eastern Mediterranean, disregarding Greek islands. Israel and the European Union have condemned the Libyan-Turkish deal, with Jerusalem accusing Turkey of destabilizing the region.

In another development, Turkey, Qatar, Pakistan, and Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding named "Badr" to deepen defense industry cooperation, focusing on joint weapon systems, technical training, and research and development. This initiative, while not a military alliance, aims to build a network of defense industries, with Turkey contributing technological expertise and the other nations providing manufacturing capabilities and markets. The inclusion of Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country, is particularly significant, as Jakarta has ordered advanced fighter jets from Turkey, and the two nations are jointly developing a tank.

Turkey continues to build a new security bloc in the Islamic world, strengthening its position while remaining a NATO member and maintaining its strategic alliance with Washington. This growing Turkish influence could potentially disadvantage Israel, which, despite security ties with some Arab nations, has struggled to form a significant bloc.

The article also includes a historical note on the death of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, detailing the circumstances of his capture and killing, and briefly touching upon his regime's policies and Libya's subsequent instability. It also alludes to external involvement in his downfall and the 2012 Benghazi attack.