Iran Conflict Escalates as Sides Pursue Divergent Goals

U.S., Israel, Gulf states, and Iran have different aims in the spiraling regional war

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The conflict between Iran and its adversaries has escalated sharply, with Iran targeting its neighbors, the U.S. launching '24/7 strikes into Iran,' and Israel flattening buildings in Lebanon. While the U.S., Israel, and Gulf states are ostensibly on the same side, they do not always have the same goals. Iran's government wants to survive the onslaught, Israel hopes to break the Iranian regime, and Gulf countries want to keep the region stable. The Trump administration has outlined various reasons for its military campaign, from stopping Iran's nuclear program to forcing regime change, but the ultimate goal remains unclear.

Why it matters

The divergent goals of the key players in this conflict raise the risk of the war spiraling out of control and causing further instability and destruction in the Middle East. The high-stakes nature of the conflict also has global implications, with potential disruptions to oil supplies and the possibility of drawing in other international powers.

The details

Iran is trying to drive up the cost of the war by attacking oil and gas infrastructure in neighboring countries and shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting the economies of the Persian Gulf. It has also launched thousands of drones and missiles at Israel, U.S. bases, and Gulf states, not only to kill but also to deplete their enemies' supplies of expensive missile interceptors. This 'asymmetric endurance' strategy aims to make the war painful enough that the U.S. will declare victory and go home. Meanwhile, Israel, with American support, hopes to batter Iran, wreck its nuclear and missile programs, and push its government to the breaking point. The Gulf countries, who have cultivated close ties with Washington, are now facing the assault they feared, with Iran firing more than a thousand missiles and drones at their energy installations, airports, and resorts.

  • The beheading of Iran's regime took place last weekend.
  • Iran has targeted its neighbors, including Saudi Arabia intercepting cruise missiles and Israel flattening buildings in Lebanon, in recent days.
  • The U.S. is launching '24/7 strikes into Iran,' according to American officials.

The players

Iran's government

The Islamic republic that is the target of the military campaign and is trying to survive the onslaught.

Israel

With American support, it hopes to batter Iran, wreck its nuclear and missile programs, and push its government to the breaking point.

Gulf countries

Persian Gulf countries that have cultivated close ties with Washington, hosting American military bases and spending billions on American weapons to protect themselves from Iran and its regional proxies.

Donald Trump

The U.S. president who has outlined various reasons for the military campaign against Iran, including stopping Iran's nuclear program, decimating its fleet of missiles, hobbling its anti-Western proxies, and forcing regime change.

Benjamin Netanyahu

The Israeli prime minister who for years railed against Iran's nuclear program but avoided direct confrontation, but is now seizing the chance to remake the Middle East with American support.

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What they’re saying

“It's an evil ideology.”

— Donald Trump, U.S. President (The New York Times)

“Most of the people we had in mind are dead. Now we have another group — they may be dead also, based on reports.”

— Donald Trump, U.S. President (The New York Times)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The divergent goals of the key players in this conflict raise the risk of the war spiraling out of control and causing further instability and destruction in the Middle East, with potential global implications.