From Bush Sr to Trump: the risks, lessons and legacy of US interference in the Middle East

8 mars 2026 à 07:00

While there are similarities with the wars against Iraq, the Iran conflict may prove to be the most dangerous and consequential yet

This is the third Gulf war and umpteenth outbreak of conflict since the United States took over as the dominant power and influence in the Middle East at the end of the cold war. And it is arguably the most dangerous, consequential and confused of them all.

The destruction and chaos spreading across the region confirms the Middle East’s status as the world’s pre-eminent crisis factory, but it also raises questions as to how US presidents so often declare they are ending US interference in the region, only to be lured back in.

Offer from Iran’s president to not attack neighbours provokes internal backlash

The Guardian

Par : Patrick Wintour Diplomatic editor

7 mars 2026 à 19:35

As Masoud Pezeshkian tries to de-escalate conflict, hardliners urge installation of new supreme leader to marginalise the president

Middle East crisis – follow live

The surprise offer by the president of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, to not attack countries in the neighbourhood so long as their airspace and US bases within their territories are not used to attack Iran has provoked a storm inside the country as the military appeared to contradict him, if not outright overrule him.

There were also calls for a new supreme leader to be installed as quickly as possible, as a means of marginalising the president. Attacks on facilities in Bahrain and elsewhere have continued, and there were unconfirmed reports that Bahrain had become the first Gulf country to fire back at Iran.

Trump demands Iran’s ‘unconditional surrender’ as he rules out deal

The Guardian

Par : Patrick Wintour Diplomatic editor

6 mars 2026 à 13:46

US leader’s remarks come hours after Iranian president claims some mediation efforts are under way

Middle East crisis – live updates

Donald Trump has demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender”, only hours after the country’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, claimed some mediation efforts to end the war were under way.

The US president’s remarks on Friday hit European stock markets, which were already suffering after a warning from Qatar that a prolonged shutdown of gas production could drive oil to more than $150 a barrel. It was $90 on Friday.

Ali Khamenei’s son Mojtaba favourite to succeed him as Iran’s supreme leader

The Guardian

Par : Patrick Wintour Diplomatic editor

4 mars 2026 à 13:08

Choice of anti-western candidate would give signal that senior figures will not seek accommodation with US

Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of the assassinated Ali Khamenei, is being heavily tipped to succeed his father as supreme leader of Iran, which would pitch a hardliner into the task of steering the Islamic republic through the most turbulent period in its 48-year history and offer a powerful signal that, for now, it has no intention of changing course.

No official confirmation has been given and the announcement may be delayed until after the funeral of Ali Khamenei, which was on Wednesday postponed.

Chaos signals Iran struggling to function as war turns into fight for survival

The Guardian

Par : Patrick Wintour Diplomatic editor

3 mars 2026 à 20:32

Strikes on Iranian leadership are putting Tehran under unprecedented military and diplomatic pressure

Iran endured a day of unprecedented military and diplomatic pressure on Tuesday as US airstrikes pushed the death toll in the country close to 800 and the offices of the assembly of experts – the body due to select a replacement for the assassinated supreme leader, Ali Khamenei – were bombed.

It would be an extraordinary security lapse if it emerges that many of the 88 elderly clerics on the assembly had been in the building in Qom voting at the time. “There was another hit today on the new leadership, and it looks like that was pretty substantial,” Trump said at a White House event, although it was unclear what specifically he was talking about.

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