Iran in the Bigger Picture

The war in the Middle East has escalated dramatically in recent days: Following coordinated air strikes by the United States and Israel on targets in Iran – in which, among others, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed – Tehran responded with massive missile and drone attacks on Israeli territory and US bases in the Gulf region. At the same time, the conflict spread to Lebanon, where Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel and Israel responded with counterstrikes.

These military confrontations are not only having wide-ranging regional repercussions, including attacks on bases in Bahrain and Cyprus and rising tensions with other Gulf states, but are also causing significant economic consequences such as sharply rising oil prices and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a central hub of the global energy trade. International concern is growing over further destabilisation of the region.

This represents a massive escalation of an already highly tense situation. In the next online edition of the International Business Podium, our experts Khaldoun Dia-Eddine and Prof. Dr. Christopher Hartwell will analyse the security implications and the consequences for the region and the world:

/ Is this a limited logic of deterrence – or the beginning of a reordering of the Middle East?

/ What effects can be expected for global energy and financial markets?

/ How will the United States continue to act?

/ What options for action remain for Switzerland and other European actors in this situation?