Iran: The International Arena

Siege, agreement, or escalation: Where is the US–Iran negotiation crisis headed?

Why, to date, has Beijing refrained from adopting a resolute stance in support of Tehran?

What are the implications of the talks expected to take place between the Iranians and the Americans, against the backdrop of the buildup of US military forces in the region—and what are the ramifications for Israel?

In recent years—and with greater intensity since the collapse of the Iran nuclear agreement and the widening rift between Iran and Western states, foremost among them the E3 [France, Germany, the United Kingdon] and the United States—the Iranian regime has sought to expand its activity across the African continent, in parallel to moves by Russia, China, Turkey, and the Gulf states in this arena. Iran’s actions, particularly with respect to its growing security foothold in Africa, heighten the threat to Israel emanating from the continent and require Israel to develop an integrated strategy that will reduce Iran’s ability to leverage Africa for its own ends. In October 2025, the Institute for National Security Studies convened a symposium to analyze the activities of Iran and other regional and global actors on the African continent, with the goal of assessing the implications of this activity for Israel’s national security and providing recommendations for Israel’s political and security leadership. These recommendations are intended to enhance Israel’s ability to address the evolving challenges in Africa stemming from Iran’s activities and those of other major powers on the continent.