The Wall Street Journal’s Sudarsan Raghavan, Summer Said, and Saleh al-Batati on Wednesday wondered Why Iran’s ‘Axis of Resistance’ Is Missing in Action. After all, for years, Iran cultivated a network of loyal militias across the Middle East, groups united by their hostility toward Israel and the United States, to expand its regional reach and safeguard the regime, but now, as the Islamic Republic faces a battle for its own survival, those allies are nowhere to be found.
The punishing wars of recent years have made Iran’s allies reluctant to confront Israel, whose military and intelligence dominance has been on full display. Many of these groups are now preoccupied with their own interests and have much to lose from a broader conflict: for example, Iraqi militia members who are now profiting handsomely from the oil industry. Others, like Hezbollah, are in rebuilding mode and harbor lingering resentment over Tehran’s limited support during their recent war with Israel, according to Arab diplomats with close ties to the group.
Israel’s strikes have dealt a severe blow to Tehran, damaging nuclear sites, weapons systems, and energy infrastructure, and eliminating key military and government figures. But what has most unsettled Iran’s allies is the clear evidence of deep Israeli intelligence penetration. Israel has launched drone attacks from inside Iran’s borders and possessed precise targeting data on some of the regime’s highest-ranking military and intelligence officials—shaking confidence in Tehran’s ability to protect itself, let alone its partners.
Hezbollah has publicly denounced Israel’s strikes on Iran, but according to Arab diplomats with regular contact with the group, it has little interest in being drawn into another full-scale war. For now, Hezbollah is focused on rebuilding its military strength and shoring up its finances. Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem appeared in a televised interview presenting himself solely as a Lebanese political figure. Notably absent from his office were Iranian flags or images of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
In Iraq, where dozens of Shiite militias have been financed by Iran, so far, only one group—Kataeb Hezbollah—has issued a statement, declaring on Sunday that Iran does not require its military support to deter Israel.
As for the Houthis in Yemen, despite their fiery rhetoric and slogan calling for death to America and Israel, the group has never been fully under Iran’s control. It’s possible they’re waiting for the right moment to enter the conflict—or simply prefer to choose the timing and location of their attacks on their own terms.
