Mint Primer | Iran strikes Israel: What next?
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Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. The latest strikes by Iran on Israel must be viewed beyond the lens of a simple military offensive. Any attempts to contain a more belligerent Iran will also require the US to exert greater influence over Israel's actions.
Mint explains: - The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has said that the attack was in retaliation for the killings of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah and IRGC commander Abbas Nilforoshan in Beirut on 27 September. It also noted the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July. This strike signifies a belligerent Tehran’s readiness to retaliate against perceived threats to its sovereignty, sending a clear message both domestically and internationally.
While Israel and its key ally, the US, have worked to curb Iran’s regional proxies—including the Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and Hamas in Gaza—Iran’s latest airstrike shows it is prepared to respond directly. These strikes have moved the region closer to the brink of a catastrophic conflict. The coming months will be critical as Israel, Iran, and various regional actors adjust their strategies.
Israel, backed by the US, has vowed to avenge the attack. The conflict is unfolding against the backdrop of two competing visions for the region: one led by Israel and the US, which views Iran and its proxies as obstacles to its vision and hegemony in West Asia, and the other led by Iran and its axis of resistance, which sees Western influence as a threat to its regional power ambitions. Escalating conflict risks disrupting vital global shipping routes, especially as Israel tightens its stance against Hezbollah.
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