The Emerging Risk of a Third World War: Geopolitical Rivalries and the Iran–Israel–United States Conflict

Author(s)	Zeba Bakhteyar
Country	India
Abstract	The growing tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States have become a major security concern in the Middle East. The conflict escalated on 28 February 2026 when the United States and Israel launched large air and missile strikes on Iran targeting military and nuclear facilities. In response, Iran carried out missile and drone attacks on Israel and on U.S. military bases in several Gulf countries. As many countries host U.S. military bases, they have become indirectly involved in the conflict. This situation has raised global concerns that the regional war could expand into a larger international crisis. This study examines geopolitical rivalries, military escalation, the involvement of global powers, and the strategic importance of energy routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, while exploring whether these tensions could increase the risk of a third world war.
Keywords	Iran–Israel Conflict, United States Foreign Policy, Middle East Geopolitics, Military Escalation, Proxy Warfare, Nuclear Proliferation, Strategic Alliances, Missile and Drone Warfare, Strait of Hormuz, Energy Security, Global Security, Regional Instability, International Relations, Risk of World War III, Conflict Escalation, Diplomatic Crisis, Global Power Rivalry.
Field	Arts
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 2, March-April 2026
Published On	2026-03-31

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