Title: Iran’s Losing Hand: Opinion by Rebecca Grant
Date: November 13, 2023
The mullahs in Iran are celebrating over recent anti-Israel protests and harassment attacks by the Axis of Resistance, hoping to escalate mayhem in the Middle East. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds force commander Esmail Ghaani has been actively involved, shuttling to Lebanon and other locations to fuel the chaos.
Iran’s aspiration to eliminate the US military presence in the region and establish regional hegemony, however, seems to be a distant dream. Iran’s military options are limited, and its economy is in a shambles. Additionally, several governments in the region are working to contain Iran’s influence.
Moreover, the aftermath of the recent Gaza crisis is expected to leave Iran in a worse condition than before. Iran has deployed enough missiles in the region to strain Israel’s Iron Dome missile defenses. The US national security adviser Jake Sullivan has also accused Iran of playing a significant role in supporting and arming militias in multiple conflict zones, including Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, the West Bank, and Gaza.
Despite significant investments, Iran’s proxies are unable to match the deterrent forces of the US. It is apparent that Iran is playing a losing hand in its bid for regional dominance.