With Hezbollah’s defeat in Lebanon and the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria, the “ring of fire” Iran built around Israel has collapsed. The question now is whether Iran will try to revive it or adopt a new strategy.
A U.S. defense official told Alhurra that Iran’s regional policy has long relied on proxy militias to threaten rivals and advance security goals without direct confrontation. These militias expanded Tehran’s influence, but any shift could significantly alter the Middle East balance of power and stability.
Western states would be directly affected, both in terms of energy security and the safety of their allies in the region. Despite setbacks from the recent war with Israel, Iran still maintains its proxy doctrine. According to the American source, Tehran combines intimidation with inducements, seeking to shield the regime and ease economic pressures.
The official revealed that Iran continues to arm the Houthis and materially support other groups, including Iraqi militias. This shows Tehran’s commitment to a coercive regional strategy, leveraging proxies to strike through deniable attacks that minimize risk while pressuring adversaries.