Iran war: Redrawing the map of the Middle East, Israeli style?

In a March 4, 2026, interview, political scientist Vali Nasr discussed the ongoing joint United States-Israeli war on Iran. Nasr argues that the U.S. has already lost control of the conflict, despite Iran being the weaker party. He suggests Iran possesses the ability to prolong the conflict and create significant disruption beyond what the U.S. and Israel anticipate. While U.S. objectives in the war remain unclear, Nasr posits that Israel's ultimate goal is to establish itself as the dominant power in the Middle East. The interview highlights concerns about the escalating conflict and its potential consequences for regional power dynamics.