Posted by Samuel on Tue 03rd Mar, 2026 - tori.ng
Dr. Muhammed further said that countries like Iraq, Syria and Palestine have been drawn into what he described as Israel’s hegemonic power structure in the region.
A security expert, Dr. Suleiman Ishaq Muhammed from the Department of Criminology and Security Studies at the Federal University, Dutse, has warned that the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran could go beyond a regional war, carrying the risk of escalating into a broader global confrontation.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Daily Post, Dr. Muhammed traced the roots of the crisis back to 1953, when a coup brought the Shah to power in Iran.
“The foundation of this crisis goes back to 1953 when the Shah, who was seen as a pro-Western leader, came into power and promoted Western ideology in Iran,” he said.
According to him, the 1979 Iranian Revolution changed everything.
“That revolution cleared off Western influence in Iran and the country adopted an anti-Israel position and began supporting groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. Since then, Iran has opposed what it sees as Israel’s quest for dominance in the Middle East,” he explained.
Dr. Muhammed argued that the conflict today is largely about regional influence and control.
“The issue is about hegemony, dominance and control of power in the Middle East. Nuclear capability is part of it, but oil, security and regional supremacy are also central,” he said.
“The countries in the Middle East are now almost answerable to Israel in terms of control of their resources, control of their oil and security in the entire region. It’s now in the hands of Israel,” he claimed.
Dr. Muhammed further said that countries like Iraq, Syria and Palestine have been drawn into what he described as Israel’s hegemonic power structure in the region.
He noted that tensions worsened after what he described as Israeli attacks on Iranian interests in Syria in 2024, which he said rang the alarm bell for the current escalation.
He cited what he called Operation Rising Lion in June 2025, which he said targeted Iran’s nuclear military facilities and amplified tensions.
According to him, the February 28, 2026 joint US–Israel military attack on Iran was aimed at crippling Iranian leadership and weakening the country’s resistance.
“The attack was really arranged in order to cripple the leader,” he said.
He added that expectations were that Iran would surrender after the killing of its Supreme Leader.
He described the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a turning point.
“It is now an issue of revenge, an issue of escalation,” he said.
He warned that Iran would likely intensify efforts against the US, Israel and their allies.
Dr. Muhammed stressed that the conflict goes beyond ideology and involves strategic interests, including nuclear capabilities and oil politics.
“Knowing that Iran has access to enough uranium to produce nuclear weapons… it becomes a threat to Israel because when Iran holds nuclear weapon, the hegemony power and control of Israel in the Middle East will be deterred.”
He added that the failure of diplomatic talks over Iran’s nuclear programme further worsened the crisis.
Efforts to resolve the Iranian nuclear crisis through diplomatic talks have reportedly been undermined, Dr. Muhammad said.
According to him, it contributed to the ongoing escalation between Iran, Israel, and the United States.
He explained that the nuclear deal negotiations were deliberately blocked.
“The nuclear deal talks, which were supposed to be diplomatic, did not hold because of intense political pressure and threats directed at United States leaders,” he said.
He highlighted how US President Donald Trump faced political challenges that influenced America’s approach to the conflict.
“Especially regarding the Jeffrey Epstein files, other leadership crises and a lot of issues that could remove the administration of Donald Trump from power, Trump had limited options. These pressures pushed the United States to follow Israel’s interests, rather than pursuing an independent diplomatic solution,” Dr. Muhammed explained.
According to the expert, the stalling of the talks benefited Israel directly.
“The pressure for this war is largely for Israel’s benefit, ensuring its continued dominance in the Middle East,” he said.
Dr. Muhammed added that the United States also gains from Israel’s regional influence.
“When Israel succeeds in the region, the United States gains full access and control over strategic areas.
However, Iran remains exceptional, resisting the dominance and sanctions imposed for decades,” he said.
He emphasized that the combination of blocked diplomacy, sanctions, and geopolitical pressure also intensified the conflict.
Dr. Muhammed also pointed to global power politics, noting that Iran maintains strategic ties with countries like China and Russia.
“When you weaken Iran, you indirectly affect the strategic interests of its allies. That is why this conflict has global implications,” he explained.
On oil politics, he warned that any disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could have worldwide consequences.
“If Iran blocks major oil routes, especially through the Strait of Hormuz, global oil supply will be affected immediately. That means higher prices, inflation and economic instability across the world,” he warned.
He said recent retaliatory attacks and missile exchanges have already increased tension across the Middle East.
“This is no longer just between Israel and Iran. Once military bases and allied territories become targets, the conflict automatically expands,” he said.
According to him, if regional allies on both sides fully join the war, the crisis could move beyond the Middle East.
“A regional war is only one step away from becoming a world war because alliances will come into play. Countries in Europe, Asia and even Africa have strategic ties to those involved,” he noted.
He stressed that global security is now at risk.
“This war is about military strength, nuclear capability, oil politics and alliances. That combination makes it extremely dangerous,” he added.
Dr. Muhammed called on major powers to intervene diplomatically before the situation deteriorates further.
“Countries like China, Russia, Germany and others must push for serious peace talks. Sanctions alone will not solve the problem. Dialogue is critical,” he said.
He also warned against further military escalation.
“The more this war expands, the harder it will be to control. The world cannot afford a conflict that disrupts global oil supply and drags multiple superpowers into direct confrontation,” he concluded.
Shifting Global Stakes – Dr. Muhamman
Dr. Muhammad revealed the main interest of the United States and Israel in the ongoing conflict.
According to him, it is to take control of Iran’s leadership.
“Their determination of the war was initially a short-term strategy aimed at removing Iran’s leadership, deactivating its nuclear plants, and neutralizing its supreme power in the Middle East,” Dr. Muhammed said.
He added that the plan also sought to give the US and Israel access to Iranian oil and control over the country’s seaports, which are strategically vital for the region.
“The goal was to manage resources that are crucial not only to Iran but also to its allies, including global powers like China and Russia,” Dr. Muhammed explained.
“The essential mission of the United States was to use a short-term military strike to remove Iran’s leadership and force the country to surrender,” he continued.
However, the situation has changed drastically.
“The conflict is no longer a short-term operation. Iran has refused to heed calls for a ceasefire, stating that it will decide when hostilities should stop. This has transformed the war from a quick leadership-targeted attack into a prolonged conflict aimed at retaliation and deterrence.”
Dr. Muhammed highlighted Iran’s military response, noting the use of advanced missile technology.
“Iran has fired a series of ballistic missiles that have never been seen before globally. Hundreds of missiles are now targeting Israel continuously, minute by minute and hour by hour. These missiles are extremely difficult to detect and track,” he said.
“The intention to please Israel, the US desire for regional control, and Israel’s goal of hegemony are all now facing a new reality. The mission to control Iranian oil, weaken Iran’s power, and assert supremacy over the Middle East has shifted,” Dr. Muhammed said.
Several global leaders and international organizations have called for an immediate ceasefire in the escalating Middle East conflict.
Countries like China, Turkiye, Malaysia, and the United Nations, through its Secretary-General, have urged all parties to stop the war and return to diplomatic dialogue.