The US dished out its latest National Security Strategy in November 2025, in which it was clearly stipulated that the US would not allow any adversarial power to exercise control over oil and gas resources of the Middle East and the waterways that pass through. The US therefore came to this region for war with a strategic objective of remaining here; timings and modus operandi, however, suited Israel more. The US has assured security to the Gulf partners for years against Iran, and this war has actually dawned on them the insufficiency of US capability and capacity. They are therefore looking towards diversified means. First, KSA entered into SMDA with Pakistan, then Kuwait endorsed its defence agreement with Pakistan, followed by a multinational maritime defence alliance led by KSA and then a tri-lateral defence agreement between KSA, Türkiye and Pakistan. There are speculations that some other countries are also aspiring to be part of this agreement. Iran has been encouraging regional countries to join hands and look after regional matters themselves. Its ideology and ambitions seem to be prevailing. The space for the US to stay put in the region is thus constricting.

China and Russia must be happy with what all the US has done in Iran, not because of the devastation but, of course, for the infamy it has brought to its stature as a Super Power. It has not been able to achieve any of its objectives........

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