Iran’s Ambitions Undermine Peace In The Middle East – OpEd

By Dalia Al-Aqidi

Throughout history, the Arab world has been a wellspring of intellectual brilliance and cultural ingenuity. From towering achievements in science, medicine and mathematics to profound contributions to art, philosophy and politics, the Arab civilization has long been recognized as a beacon of human progress. These accomplishments have shaped the foundations of modern societies and continue to inspire reverence for the ingenuity and wisdom of Arab peoples.

Yet, as I reflect on this storied heritage, I am compelled to wrestle with a profound contradiction. How can a region so rich in knowledge and strategic prowess, so deeply intertwined with the essence of human advancement, be plagued by political loyalties that appear to undermine its future? It is a question that comes to mind when I consider the enduring influence of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its policies in the Middle East since the 1979 revolution.

For more than four decades, Iran’s leadership has wielded its ideology and regional ambitions with a force that has reshaped the geopolitical landscape. But in doing so, it has also entrenched divisions and fostered instability, often at the expense of the people in neighboring nations. How did a nation steeped in history and culture arrive at a point where blind loyalty to a regime’s vision could lead to such sustained harm? This tension between a proud past and a troubled present deserves deep reflection from the region’s people and the world at large.

The enduring suffering that Lebanon has been subjected to by the Iranian regime stands as a profound and tragic testament to the destructive power of proxy politics. Once a beacon of cultural richness and intellectual vibrancy in the Middle East, Lebanon now finds itself, once again, crippled by the schemes of militias that serve not its people but the far-reaching ambitions of Tehran.

These militias, puppets in the hands of the Islamic Republic, act with impunity, furthering a foreign agenda that places the Iranian regime’s strategic interests above the well-being of Lebanese citizens. The devastation inflicted upon this once-beautiful country is not merely a result of local political missteps, but of a calculated and cynical manipulation by a regime that seeks to exert dominance through instability. The scars on Lebanon — social, economic and political — are the direct consequence of this allegiance to external masters, and the price has been paid in the shattered dreams of countless Lebanese.

With calculated precision, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards have mastered the art of sowing discord across the Middle East. Through a deft manipulation of religious ideologies and political ambitions, they have entrenched divisions and inflamed tensions in ways that destabilize the entire region. Their strategy is as insidious as it is effective: by exploiting deep-rooted sectarian differences and capitalizing on local grievances, they have established powerful militias that serve as extensions of Tehran’s will.

These militias, armed to the teeth and fortified with financial support, function as warfare tools and a “state within a state” — entities powerful enough to challenge national governments and undermine sovereign authority. This erosion of state power has allowed Tehran to exercise control from afar, pulling the strings behind the scenes while shielding itself from direct consequences. In essence, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has created a network of proxies capable of destabilizing entire nations while advancing Iran’s broader geopolitical ambitions.

Through this web of influence, Tehran has positioned itself as the puppeteer, dictating the course of events in countries where it wields this hidden power. The result is a region constantly teetering on the edge of chaos, where the sovereignty of nations is eclipsed by the shadow of militias loyal not to their homeland but to the Islamic Republic. This sophisticated, multipronged approach to power has weakened governments and stoked the fires of regional conflict, ensuring that peace and stability remain elusive goals.

Iran has invested billions in supporting its regional allies, aiming to create a sphere of influence that shields its regime from its neighbors. This strategy is rooted in the ideology of its founder, Ayatollah Khomeini, who sought to export the Iranian revolution and extend Tehran’s control across the Middle East. By financing militias and political movements, Iran is not only defending its regime but aggressively expanding its reach, reshaping the region in pursuit of a revolutionary vision. However, this ambition comes at a high cost — disrupting economies, fueling conflict and undermining regional stability.

The Iranian regime proudly claims leadership of the so-called axis of resistance against Israeli and American influence in the Middle East, a banner that has drawn support from extremist militias and their followers.

However, if Tehran truly wanted to help the Palestinian people, it would not have empowered groups like Hamas — whose actions only fuel conflict — nor would it have vilified Arab and Islamic nations working toward a sustainable peace with Israel. Instead, by launching missiles through its proxies in Yemen and Iraq, Iran aims not for peace but for continued chaos.

The reality is that peace threatens to dismantle everything Iran has built. A resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would strip the militias loyal to Tehran of their power, presence and weaponry.

The Lebanese tragedy should serve as a cautionary tale for all regimes that still harbor the illusion that the Islamic Republic of Iran seeks anything other than self-serving hegemony in the region. Iran’s actions in Lebanon reveal a pattern: wherever its influence spreads, it leaves behind not prosperity or security but fractured societies and deepened divisions. The leaders of nations tempted by Tehran’s overtures must recognize that the cost of such a partnership is often paid for in the currency of national ruin.

The time has come for the people of Iraq, Yemen, Syria and even Lebanon to recognize the devastating consequences of Tehran’s influence. Lebanon’s plight should serve as a stark reminder: enough destruction, enough wars and enough bloodshed for the sake of Iran’s ambitions. It is time to end the cycle of violence and rebuild a future where peace prevails.

• Dalia Al-Aqidi is executive director at the American Center for Counter Extremism.