Bangladesh, Feb. 22 -- The Middle East stands at a strategic inflection point. Intensifying friction between the United States and Iran over Tehrans nuclear program, Israels long-standing policy of nuclear ambiguity, and Türkiyes quiet reassessment of deterrence posture collectively signal that the regions security architecture may be entering a transformative phase. The question is no longer abstract: Is the Middle East on the cusp of a nuclear arms race, or are these dynamics part of a more calibrated recalibration of power?

For more than three decades, Irans nuclear program has occupied the center of regional security discourse. Tehran consistently maintains that its program is peaceful, anchored in energy diversification, techno...