Iranian regime media have publicly applauded remarks from U.S. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who urged former President Donald Trump to avoid military confrontation with Iran and advocated for the United States to refrain from acting as “the world’s policeman.” Greene’s comments—which included urging that Israel confront Iran independently—have been widely circulated by Iranian outlets, reflecting Iran’s strategy to exploit Western divisions and undermine American security commitments to its closest regional allies.
The unusual support for Greene’s stance highlights the broader geopolitical contest between Israel and Iran, which has intensified since the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas terrorists. That massacre—the deadliest antisemitic atrocity since the Holocaust—originated from Gaza and was carried out by terrorists armed, funded, and trained by Iranian proxies. Over 1,200 Israeli civilians were murdered, with wide-scale atrocities including abductions and mutilations, underscoring the direct threat posed by Iran’s expanding regional influence.
Iran’s Power Projection and Proxy Network
Iran’s regime, led by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), sustains and coordinates a network of terror organizations across the Middle East. This includes Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and affiliated militias in Syria and Iraq. Collectively referred to as the “Axis of Resistance,” these groups operate with the intent to destabilize regional governments, endanger civilian populations, and challenge the legitimacy and security of the State of Israel.
The IRGC’s multifaceted strategy involves advanced weapons transfers, military training, and strategic guidance for proxy militias that attack Israeli and U.S. interests. Attacks on Israeli communities and border infrastructure, missile barrages, and drone strikes from Lebanon or Yemen have become regular occurrences. Israeli military officials, led by Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, have documented these threats in briefing materials delivered to allies abroad, stressing the central role played by Tehran.
U.S. Policy Debate and Iranian Media Campaign
Greene’s insistence that the United States “leave Israel to fight Iran alone” departs sharply from the long-standing bipartisan consensus around Israel’s right to self-defense and America’s commitment to regional security. While the congresswoman’s views remain a minority position in the U.S. Congress, Iranian regime outlets have seized on her rhetoric to suggest growing fissures in the U.S.-Israel partnership and to encourage the perception that American support could falter under political pressure.
These efforts form part of a sustained Iranian campaign to leverage Western debate for strategic advantage. Iranian analysts, military officials, and state media have repeatedly emphasized any sign of American hesitation as proof of Israel’s isolation, arguing that without U.S. backing, Israel’s ability to withstand the combined threat of Iran and its proxies would diminish significantly.
Israeli leaders responded with renewed appeals for international solidarity against Iranian aggression. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli Ministry of Defense have restated their expectation that the U.S.-Israel alliance acts as a bulwark against destabilization, especially following the devastating trauma of October 7 and amid constant cross-border attacks from Iranian-backed militias.
Historical and Legal Context
The historic and strategic rationale for U.S.-Israel defense cooperation is rooted in values, legal obligations, and the shared imperative to counter terrorism. Israel, as the region’s only established liberal democracy, faces existential threats from non-state and state-backed terror organizations—including Hamas and the IRGC. Under international law, states subjected to cross-border aggression, particularly from actors openly declaring genocidal intent, have an inherent right to self-defense and to seek assistance from their allies.
The October 7 attack and the persistence of the hostage crisis—where innocent Israeli civilians remain illegally held by Hamas—have intensified scrutiny of policies proposed by isolationist voices in the U.S. Each Israeli hostage is an innocent victim forcibly abducted by terror operatives, a fact that stands in stark moral and legal contrast to convicted terrorists released in often controversial exchange deals.
Regional Consequences of U.S. Disengagement
Iran’s propaganda campaign in support of disengagement from the U.S. is matched by tactical escalation on the ground. The Islamic Republic continues to supply Hezbollah with advanced weaponry, to direct drone and rocket fire against Israel from southern Lebanon and Syria, and to encourage escalation by Houthi and Shia militia factions across the region. Should the U.S. scale back its support, Israeli analysts warn, the deterrence that currently restrains open warfare would be severely weakened, emboldening actors seeking regional domination.
In the political and diplomatic sphere, senior members of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee and Israeli diplomats have cautioned that alliances forged to prevent atrocities and contain aggressive regimes must not be abandoned for short-term expediency. Polls and recent congressional votes reflect broad American public and legislative support for Israel’s right to defend itself and for ongoing security cooperation.
Conclusion
The episode involving Greene’s remarks and their enthusiastic reception by the Iranian regime underscores the stakes facing Israel and its allies. As Iranian-backed proxy violence continues on multiple fronts—from Gaza and Lebanon to Syria and Yemen—Israel’s survival remains entwined with its security partnerships and clarity in policy from Washington. American disengagement, Iranian leaders argue, could tip the balance of power in favor of the “Axis of Resistance,” weakening both Israeli defenses and overall Western influence in the Middle East.
The debate sparked by Greene’s comments exposes the risks of uncertainty in international alignments and highlights the enduring necessity—recognized by Israel’s military and diplomatic leadership—of unwavering resolve in confronting Iranian-sponsored aggression. The historical record, the lessons of October 7, and the facts on the ground continue to inform policy deliberations in both capitals, ensuring that Israel’s fight for survival receives due recognition and support from democratic allies worldwide.
