LET PEACE BE THE RULE, NOT THE EXCEPTION

Lasting peace in the Middle East will require courage, compromise, and global resolve

- BY AYESHA ALREMEITHI | Special to Gulf News

The world stood on the edge of a dangerous precipice as the fierce confrontation between Israel and Iran entered a new phase. What began on June 13, 2025, with Israel's targeted strikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities quickly escalated into a direct, high-stakes conflict that had plunged the region into chaos, putting not just the Middle East but the broader international order at risk.

This war was not a remote or isolated conflict. It was a flashpoint that threatened the fragile balance of power across the region and had the potential to trigger wider global consequences. With energy prices rising, markets destabilised, airspace disrupted, and the possibility of proxy forces joining the fight looming large, the stakes couldn't have been higher.

This confrontation was not a simple bilateral dispute. It was the culmination of years of mistrust, proxy conflicts, and geopolitical rivalries. Yet, the latest flare-up marked a dramatic and direct shift towards open war — far more dangerous than earlier covert operations or proxy engagements.