Rewriting the Rules of West Asia in the Age of the Third Leadership

The challenge facing Iran is to transform the military and political gains of the “Ramadan War” into long-term strategic gains. This transforms the purpose of the Ramadan War from a vindictive response to a rewriting of the rules of the region.

News ID: 87541

Date: 10 March 2026 - 16:02

TEHRAN (Defapress) - Rasoul Hussein Abolsabh - The Islamic Republic of Iran today stands at a stage completely different from the early days following the great shock; the shock in which the Leader and Supreme Authority of the Islamic Revolution, His Eminence Ayatollah Khamenei, may God be pleased with him, was targeted. A scene that began with immense sorrow rapidly transformed into a historical moment that redefined Iran's position in the regional deterrence equation.

The world witnessed an extensive military response that targeted American and Israeli regime bases and headquarters in nearby countries; an operation described in many analyses as one of the most daring and complex retaliatory operations in the history of West Asian conflicts.

However, the question now raised is no longer whether Iran will respond. Rather, it is: What will happen after this response? And how will Tehran manage the stage following this strike?

Anyone who studies the experience of the Islamic Republic of Iran over the past four decades understands that Iran does not engage in conflicts with momentary logic, but operates with the logic of a long-term path. The military response, however significant, is merely one link in a broader strategy aimed at redefining the rules of engagement in the region. This was clearly evident in the strikes that targeted American and Israeli regime military positions; strikes carrying multiple messages: firstly, that Iran still possesses the ability to strike its enemies at their most sensitive points, and secondly, that Iran's deterrence has not weakened despite pressures and sanctions.

But the most significant event accompanying this stage was not only military, but also political. The announcement of the name of the new leader, "Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei," created a transitional moment in the structure of Iran's political system and rearranged the leadership scene in Tehran. This action was not merely an administrative or legal process, but also a simultaneous message to both the interior and exterior; a message that Iran's political system is capable of continuity and stability even in moments of great shock.

The post-response stage: From retaliation to rebalancing

The strikes that targeted American military bases and some positions associated with the Israeli regime were not merely a conventional military response, but can be analyzed within the framework of the concept of "compound deterrence." Iran wanted to demonstrate that the cost of targeting it would be very high.

The ongoing strikes on positions in the occupied territories of the Israeli regime are also understandable within this framework. These strikes are not merely a tactical reaction, but an effort to maintain military and political pressure without reaching the level of a full-scale regional war. This approach aligns with what can be termed "tension management," where a level of tension is maintained sufficient to impose new equations, but without crossing lines that might drag the region into widespread explosion.

America also finds itself facing an extremely complex equation, one it likely did not anticipate. Washington cannot ignore the strikes that targeted its military bases, yet it simultaneously knows that a broad response might lead to a global confrontation, a scenario carrying significant strategic risks for its interests in the region.

The Persian Gulf between concern and cautious neutrality

In this stage, the Gulf states are following developments with visible concern. The escalation of tension between Iran on one side and America and the Israeli regime on the other places the entire region at risk and creates immense regional pressure.

The Persian Gulf states know that any expansion of the conflict might place their oil and economic facilities within the crossfire of this dispute. Therefore, the most likely option for them is to maintain a position of cautious neutrality while simultaneously working to strengthen their defensive capabilities. The experience of previous strikes targeting some facilities in the Gulf demonstrated the fragility of security in this region and emphasized that any disruption here could directly impact the global economy. Consequently, the Persian Gulf states in the coming stage will strive to prevent themselves from becoming a direct battleground between major powers.

The energy weapon and global market concerns

The escalation of military tension in the Persian Gulf directly impacts global energy markets. As the level of tension in this region rises, so do concerns about disruptions to oil supply.

Within this framework, China emerges as a pivotal actor in this equation. As the world's largest energy importer, Beijing has strategic interests in the stability of the region, but it also knows that rising oil prices could provide it with additional leverage in its relations with the West.

Therefore, China may play an unofficial mediating role in the next phase, attempting to reduce the intensity of tensions without openly siding with any party, especially given the complex relationship it has with America.

Likely scenarios in the coming days

Following Iran's extensive response, several scenarios can be envisioned for the course of events in the next stage.

The first scenario is the continuation of a regional war, where strikes continue but do not transform into a full-scale confrontation. This scenario allows each side to demonstrate its power without accepting the risk of a widespread war.

The second scenario is a transition to a stage of stable deterrence; where the opposing side realizes the cost of escalation has become too high, and consequently returns to unwritten rules of engagement that preserve the existing balance.

But the third scenario is the expansion of the conflict to other fronts in the region and the world; an event that could lead to a broad international war whose course would be very difficult to control.

Iran after the strike: Redefining a global role

What occurred in recent days was not merely a new round of conflict, but a decisive moment that could transform the balance of power in West Asia. Iran demonstrated its ability to deliver a direct military response, and simultaneously its capacity to manage the post-response stage with political rationality.

The introduction of the new leader, the continuation of limited military operations, and unofficial diplomatic movements are all signs that Tehran seeks to establish a new equation in the region.

This equation is based on a simple but profound idea: Iran is not a country that can be targeted without paying a strategic price.

From response to repositioning

The current stage is not the end of the conflict, but the beginning of a new phase of it. Iran, after its major military response, is no longer solely in a defensive position but stands in a position to redefine the rules of the regional game.

The challenge facing Iran's new leadership is to translate this military and political momentum into long-term strategic gains, because power is measured not only by the ability to deliver a blow, but also by the ability to control the course of events after that blow.

In a world filled with conflicts and shifting alliances, perhaps the greatest challenge is maintaining the balance between deterrence and power on one hand, and regional stability on the other.

It is at this point that the response transcends being a retaliatory reaction and becomes a historical moment for Iran and the entire region.