News Analysis: Iran faces deep quandary over how to respond to Israel
6 months ago

News Analysis: Iran faces deep quandary over how to respond to Israel

LA Times  

Iran faces a complex dilemma over whether to attack Israel directly or use its string of proxy armies — as weakened as some of those now appear — to retaliate for the assassination of the head of the Lebanese Hezbollah militant and political organization. The setbacks suffered by both Iran and its proxies “underscore intelligence and operational inferiority coupled with Israel’s willingness to move up the escalation ladder,” said Ali Vaez, head of the Iran project at the International Crisis Group. “We must mobilize Islamic countries and the international community against Israel,” Hamid Reza Teraqqi, deputy chair of the Islamic Coalition Party, the oldest Islamic party in Iran, said in an interview. Back in Tehran in the aftermath of Nasrallah’s death, Pezeshkian on Sunday Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, on social media, said Hezbollah “makes its own decision and is fully capable of defending itself, Lebanon and the people of Lebanon on its own.” That may be overly optimistic, but it reflects an enduring reluctance to proceed further down the warpath with Israel. “But if Israel is so confident that it takes the war not just into Lebanon but to Iran, then Iran may conclude, whether they want it or not, war with Israel is at their doorstep.” Times staff writer Wilkinson reported from Washington and special correspondent Mostaghim from Tehran.

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