Iran has no desire to be subjugated to the U.S. and Israel. This may make it the linchpin for World War III. From Nick Giambruno at internationalman.com:
In the east, the Roman Empire generally ended where the Persian Empire began.
Unlike most other nation states in the Middle East, Iran (known as Persia before 1935) is not an artificial construct. By race, religion, and social history, it is a nation.
European bureaucrats didn’t dream up Iran by drawing zigzags on a map. The map reflects the geographic reality of a country with natural, fortress-like mountain borders.
Iran is Russia and China’s key ally in the Middle East, pushing back against the influence of the US and its allies.
The US, Israel, and their allies have not been successful in changing the behavior of the Iranian government. They’ve tried pretty much everything short of a full-scale invasion and using nuclear weapons.
In short, the US and its allies have few cards left to play against Iran.
If the US really wants to secure its influence in the strategic Middle East in a multipolar world—which would open the door to limiting Russian and Chinese power—it would need to overthrow the Iranian government.
Smart of the Persians to be a missile superpower then.
Will RF part with some of those playing close to the vest weapons for their ally?