The article examines the crisis in the Middle East in 2026 as a manifestation of the process of global restructuring of energy geopolitics. The paper examines in detail the fuel and energy factors as one of the key drivers of the escalation of the conflict. The focus is on analyzing Iran's role as a major producer of hydrocarbons in the context of modern energy contradictions, as well as analyzing the U.S. energy strategy, including the shale revolution and the formation of a new architecture for the global gas market. Based on a comprehensive analysis, the author identifies the formation of the US energy trilemma related to the need to simultaneously ensure the domestic market, LNG exports and adapt to lower production volumes. It shows how these contradictions can affect the geopolitical situation in the region. The scientific novelty of the article is to identify the cause-and-effect relationships between the energy interests of the leading world powers and the aggravation of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Islamic Republic of Iran, USA, Middle East, oil and gas industry and markets, electric power industry, energy geopolitics