The United States and Iran in the Middle East: Power Politics, Sanctions, and Regional Instability

Abstract

 This study will discuss about the strategic competition between USA and Iran in the Middle East regarding the power politics, economic sanctions and instability in the region. It strongly suggests that the interaction between both states has developed from a beginning of cooperation, into a longer period of conflict and tension, due to ideological differences and competing regional ambitions, as well as security concerns. The study, based on the theoretical approach of Structural Realism, aims to demonstrate that the anarchic international system forces both actors to seek for maximization of power and security, which results in constant geopolitical competition. While the USA tries to assert dominance in the region with alliances, military forces and economic sanctions, Iran counteracts with asymmetric measures, regional alliances and resistance policies. The study also underscores the impact of sanctions, nuclear tensions and proxy wars on a number of countries, including Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Lebanon, which have exacerbated the regional instability. It also points to the fact that the U.S.-Iran rivalry has global implications on energy security, regional alliances and international order. The results indicate that this long-standing dispute is still affecting the peace and stability of the Middle East, and that there is not much hope for a short-term resolution as there is a high level of distrust and mutual strategic interests.

Keywords: U.S.-Iran Relations, Middle East Politics, Structural Realism, Economic Sanctions, Regional Instability, Proxy Wars, Power Politics