The conflict between Iran and Israel, the Gulf States increases the risk of war

LONDON - The concerns of Israel strike Iran may or may not be an exaggeration, but across the region largely hidden from the "cold war" between Tehran and its enemies is climbing fast, bringing with it increased risk of conflict.

Speculation that Israel could attack Iran's nuclear program has been widespread in the Israeli media and oil markets in recent weeks, with the fear that Tehran would respond to devastating attacks on Gulf oil supplies.

But this debate, experts say, lack of large parts of the bigger picture. An increasingly isolated Iran alarms not only Israel and the West, but its Gulf neighbors, including long-time enemy in Saudi Arabia, and they are already responding - and the comparison goes well beyond sanctions simply tightening.