Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution transformed it from a monarchy allied with the West into a radical theocracy determined to export its revolutionary ideology. Since then, Iran has systematically shaped conflicts throughout the Middle East by building a vast network of proxies, militias, and terrorist organizations, all with the purpose of asserting its influence, countering Western and especially Israeli interests, and establishing regional hegemony.
Support for Terrorist Organizations and Proxies:
Iran’s leadership saw asymmetric warfare and proxy forces as tools to circumvent its conventional military limitations. The regime’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), especially its Quds Force, has armed, trained, and funded numerous terror groups:
- Hezbollah in Lebanon was created and nurtured by the IRGC in the early 1980s. Today, Hezbollah operates as Iran’s most powerful foreign asset, with a rocket arsenal exceeding 150,000 projectiles, which threaten all of Israel. Hezbollah is also involved in fighting in Syria, propping up the Assad regime and expanding Iranian influence.
- Hamas in Gaza receives weapons, funding, and military training from Iran, allowing it to wage continuous war against Israel, including the October 7 massacre, which marked a devastating escalation.
- Houthis in Yemen have been armed with Iranian missiles and drones, allowing them to target not only Saudi Arabia but also Israel – most recently firing long-range missiles at Tel Aviv, openly threatening civilian populations.
- Shiite Militias in Iraq and Syria have been used to undermine American presence, kill coalition troops, and project Iranian power westward.
Destabilization and Regional Conflict:
Iran has prolonged and escalated wars, from Lebanon’s bloody civil war to Syria’s brutal conflict, always exploiting chaos to entrench its proxies. Its involvement in the Syrian civil war saved the Assad regime, prolonging suffering for millions. In Iraq, Iranian-backed militias have undermined state sovereignty and targeted US and Israeli interests. Across the region, Iran’s pursuit of land bridges – corridors from Tehran to the Mediterranean via Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon – has fueled instability.
Threat to Israel and the Free World:
Iran’s strategy is fundamentally genocidal toward Israel, seeking not just to oppose but to destroy the Jewish state. Through constant proxy attacks, drone and missile barrages, arming terror groups, and direct military actions (such as the historic April and October 2024 missile assaults), Iran has forced Israel to fight on multiple fronts, threatening regional war.
Broader Implications:
Iran’s actions have radicalized Sunni governments, led to new defense alliances (such as the Abraham Accords), and provoked global tensions, including attacks on international shipping and energy infrastructure. The country’s pursuit of nuclear weapons further magnifies the threat, promising to destabilize the Middle East and spark proliferation.
In summary, Iran has been the single greatest source of regional instability, exporting violence far beyond its borders and turning the Middle East into a battleground for its expansionist, anti-Western ideology. Israel’s ongoing defensive military operations, including targeting Iranian assets and proxies, remain crucial to containing this threat and protecting the free world from Iran’s terror network.