For decades, Iran built a powerful web of proxy forces across the Middle East. From Hezbollah in Lebanon to Hamas in Gaza, the Houthis in Yemen, and Shiite militias in Iraq, this “Axis of Resistance” was Tehran’s way of projecting power without direct confrontation.
But now, as Israel hits deep into Iranian territory, something strange is happening. Silence. Iran’s proxies—usually loud, proud, and quick to act—are sitting this one out.
Hezbollah: No Fire, Just Smoke
Once Iran’s sharpest sword, Hezbollah has been unusually quiet. Its longtime leader, Hassan Nasrallah, was killed by Israel in 2023. His death broke more than just morale. Hezbollah’s new head, Naim Qassem, seems more like a Lebanese politician than an Iranian general.
Worse, Hezbollah’s weapons, money, and supply lines have dried up. With Syria’s Assad gone and routes from Iran blocked, the group is a shell of what it was.
Hamas: A Ghost in Gaza
Hamas, the group that kicked off the 2023 chaos, is now broken. Its key leaders, Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar, are dead. Gaza is devastated. And its underground tunnels, weapons, and bases? Mostly gone.
While Hamas started the fire, Iran’s support was mostly political. No real weapons, no real troops. And now, there’s not much left to fight with.
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Iraq: Militias Now Doing Business
In Iraq, Iran’s militias used to harass US troops and push Tehran’s agenda. But after January’s Israeli strikes on Iran, these groups mostly shrugged. Only Kataeb Hezbollah issued a threat—and even that came with conditions.
Iraq’s Prime Minister, trying to walk a fine line between Washington and Tehran, is quietly telling militias to stay calm. These fighters now run businesses, not battlefields.
Houthis: All Bark, Little Bite
The Houthis in Yemen were the only ones to actually fire missiles toward Israel. But after a few US airstrikes wiped out their launchers, they’ve gone quiet too.
Their words are still fiery, but their actions? Not so much. They coordinate with Iran, but seem more interested in Yemen than in joining Iran’s war.
Is Iran Alone?
That’s the big question. For the first time in 40 years, Iran may be fighting alone. Its “Axis of Resistance” is exhausted, divided, and on the defensive.
Even its bigger allies—Russia, China, and North Korea—are cautious. Russia condemned Israeli strikes but won’t do more. China wants peace deals, not missiles. North Korea stays in the shadows.
What About India?
India is friendly with both Iran and Israel. It signed a 10-year deal in 2024 to run Chabahar Port, giving it a key foothold in the region. But India is neutral. No sides taken, no wars joined.
Iran’s decades-long strategy—using proxies to fight its battles—is faltering. Its allies are tired, torn, or just uninterested. As Israel hits back hard, Iran might be standing alone for the first time.
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