This observation about Iran was made by American author and journalist Richard Engel, who is well-known for his in-depth coverage of Middle Eastern conflicts. His assertion illustrates how the complicated dynamics of warring neighboring countries have increased Iran's influence.

Consider a garden where various flowers vie for nutrients and sunlight. Iran and Iraq are compared to two rival plants that have lived next to each other for centuries. Iraq became so focused on surviving its own conflict that it allowed Iran to grow and spread its roots into new parts of the garden. Iran was able to bolster its military and political influence during this time, both domestically and globally.

The internal unrest in Iraq during the war gave Iran the chance to strengthen its strategic positioning, forge alliances, and gain more clout in regional politics. Iraq's capacity to balance Iranian influence in the Middle East was also diminished as a result of the war. Iran was able to fill some of the power voids left by weaker or preoccupied neighbors as Iraq suffered internally.

Richard Engel's viewpoint emphasizes the interdependence and complexity of world politics by shedding light on how conflicts can present unanticipated opportunities for other countries. His observation emphasizes how wars affect nearby nations and areas, showing how the conflict of one country can unintentionally help another.