For decades, Iran has relied on militias installed in numerous countries in the Middle East and part of Asia. Iran's armed supporters - called "proxies" - are numerous.
Tehran offers them material and specialized support (intelligence or clandestine action) Iran's influence in surrounding countries has been particularly strengthened since the civil war in Syria and the international coalition's offensive against the Islamic State (also established in Iraq) Tehran also supports the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad. It is precisely this solidarity that makes Westerners fear a conflagration of the entire region. The Iranian regime is united around the same foreign policy which boils down to opposition to the U.S. and the Israeli state. As proof of their support, two of them - Hezbollah and the Houthis - launched drones and rockets towards Israel on the night of Saturday to Sunday, just as Tehran was carrying out an unprecedented attack on the Jewish state. The United States and Israel are the main targets of the Iranian regime's attacks on Israel.