Iran’s Terror Proxies in the Middle East

• Iran’s Regional Influence: Iran supports a network of terrorist proxies across the Middle East, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza, Shi’ite militias in Syria and Iraq, and the Houthis in Yemen, to advance its extremist ideology and destabilize the region.

• Hezbollah (Lebanon): Founded in 1982 during Lebanon’s Civil War, Hezbollah, a Shi’ite terrorist group, is Iran’s primary proxy, receiving over $700 million annually and training from Iran’s IRGC Quds Force. Led by Hassan Nasrallah since 1992, it spreads Iran’s ideology and conducts attacks globally.

• Hamas (Gaza): Established in 1987 as a Sunni Islamist offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas has controlled Gaza since 2007. Iran provides $80 million yearly, along with rockets, missiles, and mortars, which Hamas uses for terror attacks against Israel rather than aiding Gaza’s civilians.

• Islamic Jihad (Gaza): Founded in 1981 and inspired by Iran’s Islamic Revolution, Islamic Jihad has deep ties to Iran, strengthened in the 1980s through Hezbollah and IRGC training in Lebanon. Iran supplies $70 million annually and weapons for attacks targeting Israeli civilians.

• Houthis (Yemen): The Houthis, a Shia-Islamist terrorist group, control one-third of Yemen’s territory and over two-thirds of its population. Backed by Iran with ballistic missiles, drones, cruise missiles, and Hezbollah training, they have escalated attacks, including in the Israel-Hamas conflict since October 7, 2023.

• Iran’s Role: Iran finances, arms, and trains these proxies through the IRGC Quds Force, enabling them to conduct terror operations, destabilize governments, and target Israel and its allies, while diverting resources from civilian welfare to fuel violence.