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Israel-Iran: The Shadow War Has a New Front

Recent strikes in Khorasan and a freshly imposed Saudi neutrality are reshaping the Persian Gulf chessboard faster than the State Department can react.

The Free PressBy Matti Friedman Wednesday, June 3, 2026 Premium
Israel-Iran: The Shadow War Has a New Front
Photograph: editorial illustration · Vanguard composite

Tehran's calculation has changed. So has Riyadh's. The only capital that hasn't updated its priors is the one with the most carrier groups.

Tehran's calculation has changed. So has Riyadh's. The only capital that hasn't updated its priors is the one with the most carrier groups.Tehran's calculation has changed. So has Riyadh's. The only capital that hasn't updated its priors is the one with the most carrier groups.

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