Iran treads carefully, backing Hezbollah while avoiding war
The Hindu
Iran walks a tightrope supporting Hezbollah amid escalating violence with Israel to avoid full-blown conflict and sanctions impact.
As violence between Israel and Hezbollah escalates, Iran is walking a tightrope by supporting Hezbollah without being dragged into a full-blown conflict and playing into its enemy's hands.
With a focus on easing its isolation and reviving its battered economy, Iran is aware that war could complicate efforts to secure relief from crippling sanctions.
Cross-border fire between Israel and Hezbollah, sparked by Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel, has intensified, especially after last week's sabotage on Hezbollah's communications that killed 39 people.
Israeli air strikes on Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon followed, killing hundreds. Hezbollah retaliated with rocket barrages.
Despite the surge in hostilities, Iran appears determined to avoid direct military confrontation.
"Iran is not going to be pulled into war," said Hamid Gholamzadeh, an Iran-based political expert.
Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group said Iran's strategy was to project power, without directly engaging, especially as escalation could benefit Israel and impact the U.S. election.
Russia claims to have shot down nearly 400 Ukrainian drones amid escalating aerial attacks, highlighting intensified conflict between Moscow and Kyiv.
Kim Jong Un reaffirms North Korea's unwavering support for Russia amid strengthened ties and military cooperation against Western adversaries.
Rights group warns of a "dystopian" Hong Kong after police arrest bookstore staff for selling allegedly seditious publications.
Iran rejects a U.S. ceasefire proposal, outlining five conditions for peace amid ongoing conflict with Israel.
Gulf states warn the UN of an existential threat from Iran's strikes, calling for condemnation and monitoring of the situation.
Matt Brittin, ex-Google executive, appointed as BBC's new director general amid ongoing $10 billion lawsuit from Trump.
Pakistan's PM Sharif briefs Saudi Crown Prince on mediating U.S.-Iran talks and reaffirms support amid regional tensions.
Iranian military ridicules Trump's ceasefire claims, asserting U.S. negotiations are merely self-deceptions amid strategic failures.
Denmark's recent election results leave Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen's future uncertain amid a fragmented parliamentary landscape.
An explosion at Valero's Port Arthur refinery caused a temporary shutdown but resulted in no reported injuries.
Anduril and Palantir Technologies are working together to develop software for U.S. President Donald Trump’s Golden Dome antimissile shield initiative, a source familiar with the matter said
A federal judge weighing the merits of the Pentagon’s designation of rising Silicon Valley star Anthropic as a security threat repeatedly questioned the government’s reasons for vilifying the company
When the conflict in West Asia, which began with the U.S. and Israel’s attack on Iran on February 28, escalated into a regional war, analysts said that the war would last as long as Iran had missiles or until the Gulf nations ran out of interceptors. However, with “emergency” military sales, piling monetary costs and a strained supply chain, is the U.S. becoming too constrained in its effort to keep the war going — both militarily and monetarily?