Tiran and Sanafir: Strategic Crossroads in Middle Eastern Geopolitics
By: Charilogone Editorial Staff.The islands of Tiran and Sanafir have long been at the heart of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Their strategic location at the entrance to the Gulf of Aqaba gives them considerable military and economic importance. Despite the agreement between Saudi Arabia and the United States to establish military bases, Egypt's delays in returning the two islands to Saudi Arabia after having consummated the sale
have kept them under Egyptian administration, prolonging sovereignty disputes.
Their control remains a critical issue, involving key regional players such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Israel, and the UAE. Any shift in ownership or military presence could have profound consequences for navigation security and regional stability in the Red Sea.
Historically, the islands have been entangled in conflicts such as the Suez Crisis of 1956 and the Six-Day War of 1967, when Egypt’s blockade of the Straits of Tiran provoked Israeli military action. They remained under Israeli occupation until 1982, further highlighting their geopolitical sensitivity.
Beyond politics, Tiran and Sanafir also hold ecological significance, boasting rich coral reefs and diverse marine life. Their strategic and environmental importance makes them a continued point of global interest.
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