Proxy relationship

In Iraq, Iran’s proxy militias open a third front in war against the US and Israel

BEHIND THE LINES: Statistics indicate that a determined Iranian and allied campaign is indeed underway in Iraq, making the country a third front in the current war.

FIRE RAGES outside the grounds of the US Embassy headquarters in Baghdad’s fortified ‘Green Zone’ earlier this week, following a drone and rocket attack according to security officials. Iraq was drawn into the Middle East war after having long been a proxy battleground between the US and Iran.
A Houthi protester with a poster of Ali Khamenei demonstrates amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Sanaa, Yemen, March 6, 2026

Iran war leaves Yemen's Houthis 'between a rock and a hard place' - analysis

Houthi soldiers stand guard as people detained by the Houthis wait for their release in Sanaa, Yemen January 25, 2025.

IDF surprised by Houthis not joining Iran war, believes they still could, sources say

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (C) looks on prior to delivering a speech during a session of the UN Conference on Disarmament, on the sideline of a second round of US-Iranian talks with Washington pushing Tehran to make a deal to limit its nuclear programme, in Geneva, on February 17, 2026.

Iran sees 'good outlook' for talks with US as negotiating team heads to Geneva


Why Hezbollah’s pager op. losses could lead to new phase of war - analysis

Hezbollah and Iranian media characterize this as a “terrorist” attack. Al-Manar, the Hezbollah media arm, says the attack will “double our determination for Jihad.”

 HEZBOLLAH SUPPORTERS rally in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, in Beirut’s southern suburbs, last November. The writer calls for shifting international pressure away from Israel and redirecting it toward Hamas and Hezbollah.

Pager explosions killed 19 IRGC members in Syria - report

An additional 150 IRGC members were also wounded in the explosions, Army Radio reported, citing the Saudi news source.

 ‘A MONSTER’ – Members of the IRGC attend a ground forces military drill in the East Azerbaijan province of Iran in 2022.

Iran celebrates Hezbollah and other proxy attacks on Israel - analysis

Despite Iran’s diplomatic offensive on other fronts, Iran is continuing to ring Israel with threats and increase the pressure on Israel from Hezbollah and its other proxies in the region.

 A CROWD in Tehran watches an address, on the screen by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, in November. Hezbollah is virtually a state within a state, sucking the lifeblood out of Lebanon at the instigation of Iran, says the writer.

Internal strife: Iran's delayed retaliation to Israel sparks rift within terror proxies - report

Iran’s call for restraint after recent assassinations has angered Hezbollah, Hamas, and other allies, causing a heated rift in Tehran.

 A car drives past a poster depicting late Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, top commander of Iran's Quds Force Qassem Soleimani and Hezbollah top commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut, Lebanon, August 5, 2024.

The Houthis: Iranian pawns, who also want to take over Yemen - opinion

At the moment, the Houthis are content to act as Iran’s proxy since it accords with their own fervent anti-Israel ideology, but they also have their own agenda in Yemen.

 THEN-IRANIAN foreign minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian meets with Houthi official Mohammad Abdul Salam, in April. Iran has now gained a foothold on the Arabian Peninsula, says the writer.

Escalating Houthi attacks draw attention from Iran and Gulf States - analysis

This shows that there is escalation by the Houthis and that this simmering conflict is being watched closely in Iran and in the Gulf in places like the UAE.

 Greek-flagged bulk cargo vessel Sea Champion is docked to the port of Aden, Yemen to which it arrived after being attacked in the Red Sea in what appears to have been a mistaken missile strike by Houthi militia, February 21, 2024.

Iran doubles down on Houthi support, as it supplies group with missiles

Iran’s acting Foreign Minister says he will tour the region as Iran seeks to mobilize Iraqi-based militias and Hezbollah in attacks targeting Israel.

 Armed Houthi followers ride on the back of a pick-up truck during a parade in solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and to show support to Houthi strikes on ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, in Sanaa, Yemen January 29, 2024.

Iran wants a ‘perfect storm’ to threaten Israel with proxies - analysis

Iran’s goal of escalation amid the Rafah offensive has therefore not come to the fruition that Iran wanted.

 A CROWD in Tehran watches an address, on the screen by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, in November. Hezbollah is virtually a state within a state, sucking the lifeblood out of Lebanon at the instigation of Iran, says the writer.

Iran calls Iraq’s president to slam Israel

The Iranian call to Iraq’s president comes after Iraqi-based militias have increasingly said they are targeting Israel with kamikaze drones.

 Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi speaks during a meeting with the cabinet in Tehran, Iran, April 2, 2024.

Attacks on Kurds or use of proxies: Middle East awaits Iran’s response - analysis

People in the Middle East are concerned about Iran’s vow to attack Israel in the wake of an airstrike in Damascus.

 (L-R) Iranian Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu