Proxies may join, but Iran needs to lead retaliation against Israel: Analyst

Iran’s regional allies might participate in a retaliatory attack against Israel, but the operation will need to be led by Iran itself, according to an analyst.

The Middle East has been on high alert since the late July assassinations of top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut and Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Iran and its regional proxies, including Lebanese Hezbollah, have blamed Israel for these attacks and vowed to retaliate.

While Israel has confirmed responsibility for Shukr’s killing, it has not acknowledged involvement in Haniyeh’s death.

Iran expert Jaber Rajabi, speaking to Al Arabiya, said that Iran must lead the response to prove itself to its proxies. He noted that the morale of these groups, following “repeated defeats and the assassination of their leaders,” has declined significantly.

“The proxies may take part in Iran’s response, but they cannot act on its behalf,” Rajabi said.

He elaborated that Iran established these groups to safeguard its regime, use them as leverage in regional and international negotiations, and influence their home countries.

Rajabi observed that before the outbreak of the Gaza war triggered by Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel, Iran had largely achieved these goals while avoiding direct conflict. However, since October 7, Iran has found it increasingly difficult to maintain a distance from the ongoing conflict, he added.