Since the Hamas attack on October 7 and Israel’s subsequent war against Hamas Loop, Iranian organizes and encourages attacks against Israeli and American positions throughout Middle East. Not just inside Israel And Palestine but also Red Sea, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon. TeheranBut he was careful not to be drawn into direct war against two staunch enemies: Tel Aviv And washington. The Ayatollah regime mostly uses its allies in the region for this.
Axis of Resistance
Over the past two decades, Tehran has created an umbrella of regional militias with which it can indirectly fight its rivals. Thus, Iran tried to have a role and a seat in almost all conflicts in the Middle East without being dragged into being declared a direct actor. wars in the region.
The names are diverse, and all of them come together in the so-called Resistance Axis: Hezbollah in Lebanon, Islamic Jihad And Hamas in Palestine, Popular Mobilization Forces (FMP) in Iraq and Syria and Houthi rebels in Yemen. Since the beginning of the war in Gaza, both Hashd al-Shaabi and the Houthis have been carrying out attacks. drone and mortar attacks Continuous, almost daily, against American positions or cargo ships. These attacks provoked a reaction from Washington, which responded with bombings against these militias in Iraq and the Houthis in Yemen.
A regional power with feet of clay
Iran is trying to create a profile throughout the Middle East with affiliated militias and the most important and influential states region. In fact, the author of this expansionist policy is Qassem Soleimaniold commander Quds ForceIran’s elite overseas military intelligence agency. Soleimani was killed by the United States in January 2020.
There’s more: Iran continues uranium enrichment with the aim of creating atom bomb and accordingly International Nuclear Energy Agency (AIEN)Tehran has already enriched uranium at 60%. More than 90% you can now create one atomic explosive.
But all this has consequences. Iranian economy It lives disconnected from most of the world and thrives on reimposed sanctions by the West. donald trump While the Republican is still there White House. Despite its increasing international importance, Ayatollah regime It is debated in Iran and survives thanks to the enormous repression against any clues. dissident. For example, the Islamic Republic could only suppress this war. mass protestsA year ago, paramilitary forces were on the streets and due to the death of young Mahsa Aminí death sentences against more than a dozen protesters.
Tension and confusion in the Middle East
Meanwhile, pressure is mounting outside Iran’s borders. Iran and its allied militias (in this case always through the Houthis in Yemen) have managed to seriously block the passage of cargo ships. through Suez CanalIt is one of the key points in the world in terms of international maritime trade. Now the majority of trade Asia And Europe borders Cape of Good Hopeinside South AfricaThis means that navigation days increase by 10.
This Wednesday, Iranian Foreign Minister, Hussein Amirabdollahian He warned that crises across the region and military “resistance” actions will not stop until Israel ends its offensive in Gaza, which almost caused casualties. 25,000 Palestinian civilians According to figures from the Ministry of Health, the Palestinian region has been in the hands of Hamas since October.
Attacks, responses and counter-responses
Everything changed for Iran on January 3. Islamic State (EI) He attacked the commemoration ceremony held on the fourth anniversary of Qassem Soleimani’s death. Two explosions in the city KermanThe place where Soleimani came and his body was buried 84 deathsand forced Tehran to need answer directly, without the mediation of the militias involved.
Since and until the beginning of Israel’s offensive on Gaza, Iran had not carried out any attacks against another country in the region. But everything changed last week: Within three days, Tehran, three ballistic missile attacksagainst ISIS northern syriaagainst an alleged allegation Israeli spy base inside north Iraq and against baloch rebel militia inside West Pakistan. To this latest attack on Pakistan, Islamabad responded with several airstrikes against another Baloch militia in Iranian territory in the early hours of this Thursday.
According to experts, these bombings of Iran expand the conflict Gaza coming to the point where Iran will have to participate militarily is something Tehran fears, but their real goal is to show the Iranian people that: The Islamic Republic responds to the attacks he received.
Unlimited
words and rhetoricBut they are increasing. “Iran respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries, but we insist that we do not recognize these countries.” no limit Iran’s Defense Minister said on Thursday: “When it comes to defending our security” Mohammed Reza Ashtiani. “We don’t care where the threat comes from. We will respond to any attack against Iran. “Our response will always be decisive, proportionate and firm,” he added.