Nairobi, April 20 -- The sharp escalation of the hostilities between Iran and Israel could have major geopolitical consequences for Eastern Africa, which is already feeling the economic heat from disruptions caused in the Red Sea by Iran-allied Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Kenya, in particular, could find itself in the global spotlight if Israel and Iran went to an all-out war, and Somalia, the newest member of the East African Community, could see its political fortunes altered.

Last Saturday, Iran launched an unexpectedly large barrage of more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel, in retaliation for Israel's April 1 bombing of its diplomatic compound in Syria, which Tehran said killed seven of its military advisers, including three senio...