Iran’s supreme leader relies on strong words and mobilizes militias. But at the same time, there is growing concern in Tehran that the country will be drawn directly into the Gaza conflict.
Iran is mobilizing its auxiliary troops against Israel and the USA. Pro-Iranian Hezbollah is attacking Israel from Lebanon, pro-Iranian Houthi rebels in Yemen are firing rockets, and pro-Iranian militiamen in Iraq are bombing American military bases. And Iranian revolutionary leader Ali Khamenei makes savage threats: if Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip are not stopped, “no one will be able to stop the wrath of Muslims.” But the martial words are misleading: the leadership in Tehran wants to avoid an uncontrollable escalation that would make Iran the target of Israeli and US counterattacks.
Iran’s “Axis of Resistance”
As Hamas’s main supporter, the Islamic Republic celebrated the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas Islamist fighters as a great success. Although Khamenei’s regime rejects the accusation that Iran was aware of Hamas’ attack plans, it does not hide its close ties to the Palestinian terrorist organization. Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has met with the Hamas leadership several times over the past two weeks. Enmity with Israel and the USA is one of the ideological foundations of the Iranian regime.