How Iran Is Using War With US to Forever Reshape the Middle East

Key Points:

• Iran is leveraging the six-month conflict in the Middle East to solidify control over the Strait of Hormuz, aiming to transform military gains into a permanent strategic advantage rather than focusing on nuclear ambitions.
• Reports suggest Iran and Oman may formalize a deal to collect service fees along the Strait of Hormuz, reinforcing Tehran’s influence over this critical oil and gas trade corridor as part of a broader regional power play.
• Iran is revitalizing its "Axis of Resistance" coalition, coordinating proxy groups like Hezbollah, Houthis, and Iraqi militias to open new fronts against adversaries and assert its regional dominance amid ongoing conflicts.
• The war has strained U.S. influence in the Middle East, causing Gulf partners to question American security commitments and prompting them to diversify alliances, notably deepening ties with China, which aligns with Iran’s geopolitical interests.
• The conflict has contributed to a shifting regional order, with growing Chinese influence at the expense of U.S. primacy, while Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz and its network of proxies positions it to shape Middle Eastern power dynamics long-term.