We hear constantly from our politicians and from the Saudis and their allies about the need to “counter” or “contain” Iran, but the reality is that Iran’s government has done a fine job of alienating almost the entire region and greatly reducing whatever influence they may have had as recently as ten years ago.
Source: The Hawkish Fantasy of an Iranian ‘Empire’ | The American Conservative
All true and fair. An Iranian empire is, at this point in time, probably a Neocon’s wet dream more than a genuine possibility.
But let’s not forget that Iran has the motive and opportunity to create considerable mischief, death, and destruction even if it never expands an inch beyond its current borders.
At the very least, we should be wary.