Tthe US pursuit of a nuclear agreement with Tehran – likely permitting Iran some level of uranium enrichment – has emboldened other regional powers to accelerate their own nuclear programs. In Egypt, construction continues on a civilian nuclear power plant in El Alamein with Russian financing and technology, part of a broader strategic partnership with Moscow. Though officially non-military, the timing is notable. Egypt's growing comfort with alternative alliances is no longer subtle.
This was further underscored in April 2025 when Egypt and China conducted an unprecedented joint military training exercise on Egyptian soil. This marks the first time Beijing has engaged in direct military drills with a major Arab military power in the Middle East. While the stated objective was counterterrorism, the symbolism is unmistakable: Cairo is expanding its security relationships eastward, signaling to Washington that alternatives exist if American commitments waver.
In the end, the United States must decide whether it still seeks to be the anchor of stability in the Middle East or merely one player among many. If the former, it must restore trust with its traditional allies – not only through arms deals and summits but by aligning its strategic choices with their existential concerns.
Nuclear diplomacy with Iran may be necessary. But if pursued without carefully managing Arab perceptions and Israel's insecurities, it risks unintentionally accelerating a new Cold War in the Middle East, one where the US is neither feared nor fully trusted and where its allies are quietly building alternatives.
https://live.jpost.com/opinion/article-851442
Tehran: General Director of Crisis Management in Hormozgan Province in Iran Mehrdad Hassan Zadeh announced that initial investigations revealed the explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port in Bandar Abbas was caused by stored containers carrying hazardous and chemical materials.
Shahid Rajaee Port is recognized as Iran’s largest and most advanced container port, featuring 12 container berths and 30 cranes, and playing a key role in the country’s maritime economy.
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