Series Summary 

This four-part seminar series, a collaboration between the Middle East Institute (MEI) and the British International Studies Association (BISA), examines the cascading consequences of a US-Israeli war against Iran that erupted in early 2026. Structured across four thematic sessions, the series traces the conflict’s impact from Iran’s domestic political transformation and the restructuring of Gulf regional security, through the disruption of global energy markets and Gulf economic stability, to the broader reconfiguration of the global strategic order. By bringing together leading scholars from institutions across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Australia, the series offers a comprehensive, multi-layered analysis of a major geopolitical crisis and its far-reaching ramifications.

• Date: 22nd September 2026

• Focus: Following the outbreak of the US–Israeli war against Iran on 28 February—marked by the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, alongside senior political figures, military commanders, and nuclear scientists—Iran responded with military strikes against both the United States and Israel, including attacks on US military facilities in the Gulf. The conflict rapidly escalated, with civilian infrastructure becoming a primary target.

  Beyond its immediate destruction, the war has significantly reshaped Iranian society. Pre-war public dissent has largely been redirected toward resistance against foreign invasions, signalling a notable shift in the domestic political landscape. Anti-government movements now face a dual challenge: confronting state repression while navigating the effects of external military aggression. Meanwhile, the elimination of key leadership figures has disrupted existing political structures. While new leadership is emerging, it remains uncertain whether this leadership can maintain political cohesion during the war and in the post-war period. This seminar examines these evolving socio-political dynamics within Iran.

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Seminar Two: Restructuring Regional Security Reconfiguration in the Gulf

• Date: 29th September 2026

• Focus: Following the outbreak of the US–Israeli war against Iran on 28 February, Iran responded with military strikes against both the United States and Israel, including attacks on US military facilities in the Gulf. The conflict rapidly escalated, with civilian infrastructure becoming a primary target.

  The escalation of hostilities has had far-reaching consequences for the Gulf region. Iran’s retaliatory strikes targeted not only US military bases but also civilian infrastructure in Gulf states, transforming the conflict into a broader regional confrontation with significant implications for security, geopolitics, and economic stability. These developments have introduced renewed instability into intra-regional relations. As a result, Gulf countries are compelled to reassess their defence strategies. This seminar explores the long-term geopolitical and security implications for the region.

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Seminar Three: The War and the Disruption of Global Energy Markets and Gulf Economic Stability

• Date: 6th October 2026

• Focus: Analyses the economic consequences of the war, particularly the disruption of global energy markets due to Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz. It also discusses the impact on Gulf economies, including the outflow of foreign investment and labour, and examines the regional responses to these economic and security challenges.

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Seminar Four: The War and its Implications for the Global Strategic Order

• Date: 13th October 2026

• Focus: Investigates the war’s wider implications for the global strategic order. It questions the effectiveness of existing US security guarantees, prompting US allies to reassess their defence postures. It also explores the convergence of this conflict with the Russia-Ukraine war and how major powers are adapting to the shifting geopolitical landscape.

• Moderator: Dr. Ferran Perez (Durham University)