Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za
3-minute read
04 March 2026

Escalating tensions between Iran, Israel and the US spark fears of a wider regional war, with mounting casualties and growing calls for diplomacy 📷

Tensions between Iran, Israel and the United States have shifted from heated rhetoric to direct confrontation, raising urgent concerns about a wider regional war.

Strategic US assets and allied bases across West Asia have reportedly been struck in retaliation, signalling what some analysts describe as a dangerous new phase in the conflict. While diplomatic channels remain technically open, optimism appears to be fading fast.

Speaking to Radio Islam International, Naeem Jeenah of the International Strategy and Research Association (ISRA) said, “I think everyone stands to lose, but it all depends on how these things play out.” He described the current situation as “massive destruction all around,” concentrated largely in the West Asia region.

Jeenah pointed to Israel’s fragile economic position after two years of war. “Already after two years of genocide, the economy has been in a very bad situation,” he said, noting that the call-up of 100,000 reservists would further strain the system. He added that military analysts suggest Israel’s missile interceptors could last “no more than about 10 days,” while Iran is believed to possess a significant missile stockpile.

Meanwhile, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states have reportedly expressed frustration after attacks targeted areas hosting US bases. According to Jeenah, these states expected protection in exchange for hosting American military installations. Instead, “the US preferred to protect Israel rather than them,” potentially fuelling pressure to downscale or remove those bases.

On the Iranian side, the humanitarian toll is mounting. By early reports, more than 550 people had been killed, with “nine hospitals hit, one school hit, 165 schoolgirls killed,” alongside widespread infrastructural damage.

Domestic political calculations may also be shaping the escalation. Jeenah argued that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces both upcoming elections and ongoing legal challenges. “There’s a very strong personal element in the Israeli case,” he said.

In Washington, President Donald Trump is navigating divisions within his support base. Objectives appear fluid, ranging from regime change rhetoric to dismantling Iran’s military capabilities.

Prospects for de-escalation remain slim. The United Nations Security Council was described as “entirely impotent,” with veto powers divided. While Oman has indicated willingness to mediate, Jeenah cautioned that “it depends on the actors involved, whether they want mediation or not.”

“Iran certainly wants to exact a massive price,” he concluded, warning that the economic shockwaves are already being felt globally, with European gas prices reportedly surging by 50 percent.

For now, the region braces for further escalation, with little indication that diplomacy will prevail in the immediate term.

Listen to the full interview in Sabahul Muslim with Moulana Junaid Kharsany and Naeem Jeenah.