Israel-Hamas war: How Iran’s ayatollahs are playing the most dangerous game in Middle East

NEW DELHI: Amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, the White House has announced that Iran appears to be “directly involved” in orchestrating rocket and drone strikes by its affiliated proxy groups against US military installations in Iraq and Syria. In light of these developments, President Biden has instructed the department of defense to prepare for potential further attacks and to respond as deemed necessary.
“We know that Iran is closely monitoring these events, and in some cases, actively facilitating these attacks and spurring on others who may want to exploit the conflict for their own good, or for that of Iran,” White House spokesman John Kirby said.
The US military is also enhancing protective measures for its forces stationed in the Middle East. Officials have also indicated that, if necessary, they might consider evacuating military families, as per sources who spoke to Reuters.According to a report in the Economist, Iran’s autocratic rulers are playing a dangerous game, wielding an “axis of resistance” – a network of violent proxies spread across the Middle East. The term axis of resistance was first used by a Libyan newspaper in 2002 in response to then-US president George W Bush’s claim that Iran, Iraq, and North Korea formed an “axis of evil”. Since then, the term has been adopted by the Iranian leaders and their allies to describe their strategic partnership and their resistance to the US-led sanctions, interventions, and pressures in the region.
Over the past two decades, Iran has meticulously cultivated this network in countries like Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen. These proxies, including groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, provide Iran with significant leverage, often surpassing its conventional military capabilities.
Iran has long supported Hamas. According to a Wall Street Journal report, Iranian security officials helped plan Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel. “Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had worked with Hamas since August to devise the air, land and sea incursions,” the WSJ report said.
Iran’s strategy is multifaceted. While it seeks to avoid a direct war with the West and its allies, it aims to create instability and uncertainty. This approach is evident in its support for armed groups and its involvement in attacks, such as the missile strike on Saudi Aramco in 2019. The objective is clear: to intimidate and complicate the West’s decision-making process.
The current crisis has provided Iran with both opportunities and challenges.

For Iran, the regional turmoil offers several benefits. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has temporarily halted talks on normalizing relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. The rising oil prices, driven by the conflict, have also been a boon for Iran. Despite formal sanctions, the US has tacitly allowed increased Iranian oil exports, a move driven by its desire to control inflation.
However, Iran’s aggressive stance comes with significant risks. While officials in Iran may boast about their renewed global stature, the Iranian populace is less enthused. The potential for a regional war could spark domestic protests, reminiscent of the demonstrations that erupted in 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini. The Iranian public is weary of their regime’s foreign escapades and is more inclined to prioritize national interests over regional conflicts, the Economist said.
Another challenge for Iran is the autonomy of its proxies. Since the assassination of Qassem Suleimani, a key figure behind the “axis of resistance,” these groups have become more independent. Their aggressive posturing and threats could make de-escalation difficult, especially given the “red lines” they have established.

The broader implications for the region are profound. Countries like Lebanon fear being caught in the crossfire. Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, has been conspicuously silent since the conflict began, signalling the complexities of the situation. The threat of war has also impacted Lebanon’s economy, with potential repercussions for its tourism industry and national airline.
Should Iran’s proxies target American assets or potentially Israel, the initial US response would likely be directed at these proxies rather than Iran directly. However, such a move carries significant risks and no one can predict how it may unfold and it may engulf the entire Middle East.
(With inputs from agencies)

Watch US vows unwavering support for Israel’s anti-Hamas efforts, cites Iran’s troubling role