1979 Iranian Revolution:

• Overthrew the Shah, ending a monarchy that had lasted thousands of years.
• Established a theocratic Islamic Republic led by Ayatollah Khomeini.
• Revolution was fueled by anti-imperialism, with Iran turning against the U.S. and Israel.

Creation of the “Axis of Resistance”:

• Iran developed a strategy called “forward defense,” building a network of allied militias across the Middle East.
• These groups act as Iran’s proxies to extend its influence and counter its adversaries, mainly the U.S. and Israel.

Hezbollah (Lebanon):

• Formed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard in response to Israel’s 1982 invasion of Lebanon.
• Played a major role in forcing Israel to withdraw from Lebanon in 2000.
• Today, it is a powerful political and military force with a large arsenal of rockets aimed at Israel.

Hamas & Islamic Jihad (Palestine):

• Both groups oppose Israel and reject peace agreements signed by the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO).
• Hamas, formed during the first Palestinian intifada, and Islamic Jihad both receive political and limited material support from Iran.
• These groups are part of Iran’s regional network, with Hamas launching attacks on Israel, including the October 7, 2023 incident.

Houthis (Yemen):

• The Houthi movement, inspired by the Iranian Revolution and Hezbollah, grew into a significant force in Yemen.
• In 2015, they captured the Yemeni capital Sanaa and control much of northern Yemen.
• The Houthis have attacked Israeli targets and U.S. interests as part of this broader conflict.

Hashad al-Shabi (Iraq & Syria):

• Iran-supported Shia militias that fought against ISIS and are now influential in Iraq and Syria.
• These militias are powerful in Iraq, and continue to target U.S. bases in the region.

Escalating Conflict:

• After Hamas’ recent attack on Israel, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and other groups began attacking Israel and U.S. interests.
• This has led to retaliatory strikes, escalating tensions between Iran’s Axis of Resistance and Israel and its allies.