Iran-Israel shadow conflict threatens to spill into open warfare
While some of Iran’s proxies have stepped up attacks on Israel since October 7, they have so far avoided all-out warfare. But fears are mounting of a wider conflict.
Iran-backed groups in the Middle East
TURKEY
IRAQ
LEBANON
SYRIA
ISRAEL
IRAN
JORD.
GAZA
PAKISTAN
Kuwait
EGYPT
SAUDI
ARABIA
BAHRAIN
UAE
OMAN
QATAR
SUDAN
Red
Sea
YEMEN
Iran
Iran exerts considerable influence over armed
groups across the Middle East, with differing
levels of control over each. In April, both Iran
and Israel carried out direct attacks on each
other’s territories.
Syria
Iran has a direct presence in Syria, and wields
significant influence over several Shiite militias.
In April, Iran and Israel exchanged direct strikes
after Israel struck Iran’s consulate in Damascus.
Iraq
Iraq is home to the Popular Mobilization Units
(PMU), an umbrella group of predominantly
Shiite Iran-backed paramilitary forces that
includes the powerful Kataib Hezbollah.
Lebanon
Hezbollah is the most powerful militia in the
region; it is armed, trained and funded by Iran.
Yemen
Iran-backed Houthi rebels have been striking
ships in the Red Sea, disrupting global shipping
as part of what they say is revenge for Israel's
war against Hamas.
Gaza
Iran backs Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic
Jihad group, which have launched attacks on
Israel.
Iran-backed groups in the Middle East
TURKEY
LEBANON
IRAQ
SYRIA
ISRAEL
IRAN
JORD.
GAZA
PAKISTAN
Kuwait
EGYPT
BAHRAIN
SAUDI
ARABIA
UAE
OMAN
QATAR
SUDAN
Red
Sea
YEMEN
Iran
Iran exerts considerable influence over armed groups
across the Middle East, with differing levels
of control over each. In April, both Iran and Israel carried
out direct attacks on each other’s territories.
Syria
Iran has a direct presence in Syria, and wields significant influence over several Shiite militias. In April, Iran and Israel exchanged direct strikes after Israel struck Iran’s consulate in Damascus.
Iraq
Iraq is home to the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU),
an umbrella group of predominantly Shiite Iran-backed
paramilitary forces that includes the powerful Kataib
Hezbollah.
Lebanon
Hezbollah is the most powerful militia in the region; it
is armed, trained and funded by Iran.
Yemen
Iran-backed Houthi rebels have been striking ships in
the Red Sea, disrupting global shipping as part of what
they say is revenge for Israel's war against Hamas.
Gaza
Iran backs Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad
group, which have launched attacks on Israel.
Iran-backed groups in the Middle East
Iraq
Iraq is home to the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), an umbrella group of predominantly Shiite Iran-backed paramilitary forces that includes the powerful Kataib Hezbollah.
Syria
Iran has a direct presence in Syria, and wields significant influence over several Shiite militias. In April, Iran and Israel exchanged direct strikes after Israel struck Iran’s consulate in Damascus.
Lebanon
Hezbollah is the most powerful militia in the region; it is armed, trained and funded by Iran.
TURKEY
Iran
Iran exerts considerable influence over armed groups across the Middle East, with differing levels
of control over each. In April, both Iran and Israel carried out direct attacks on each other’s territories.
SYRIA
IRAQ
LEBANON
ISRAEL
IRAN
JORDAN
GAZA
Gaza
Iran backs Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group, which have launched attacks on Israel.
PAKISTAN
Kuwait
BAHRAIN
SAUDI
ARABIA
Qatar
UAE
OMAN
SUDAN
Red
Sea
Yemen
Iran-backed Houthi rebels have been striking ships in the Red Sea, disrupting global shipping as part of what they say is revenge for Israel's war against Hamas.
YEMEN
