Middle East War May Acquire Elements of Religious Conflict - Turkish Expert

In his remarks on the Turkish television channel A Haber, Tunc Demirtaş, an expert from the Turkish analytical center SETA, underscored the potential for the situation in the Middle East to transform into a religious conflict. He pointed out that the region is currently caught in a strategic chain of reactions, where Israel is attempting to establish a new agenda that could lead to heightened conflicts based on religious or identity affiliations.

Demirtaş highlighted the role of proxy actors in this conflict, particularly groups linked to Iran, which may contribute to further escalation of the situation. He believes that these groups could act as catalysts for larger military actions in the region, thereby increasing the risk of new conflicts arising.

Furthermore, the expert noted that in the event of a ground operation against Iran, the United States does not plan to act unilaterally. According to him, Washington is likely to seek support from other countries in the region, indicating the importance of an international coalition in such military operations.

“I don’t think the U.S. would want to conduct this operation (the ground one - ed.) alone. They will certainly seek support from countries in the region,” Demirtaş emphasized, pointing to the necessity of diplomatic efforts to achieve common goals.

Demirtaş also drew attention to the narrative changes that occurred during Donald Trump’s presidency. He noted that Trump shifted the focus from the primary goal of the operation, which was to deter Iran from its missile and nuclear program, to the issue of opening the Strait of Hormuz, which is strategically significant for international trade.

The expert stressed that Turkey holds considerable geopolitical weight in the region, acting as the second-largest army in NATO. He believes that Turkey can play an important role in mediating between the conflicting parties, facilitating the achievement of peace and stability in the region.

It is worth recalling that previously, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that a war with Iran could conclude within 2-3 weeks, hinting that the U.S. had achieved significant military objectives and would leave the issue of unblocking the Strait of Hormuz to other countries. These statements have resonated widely within the international community, as the Strait of Hormuz is a key route for the transportation of oil and other goods.

Thus, the situation in the Middle East remains tense, and experts point to the possibility of further escalation of conflicts that could have serious implications not only for the region but also for global stability.