Iranian Officials Urge Proxy Groups to Reduce Attacks on US to Avoid Direct Conflict
In a surprising turn of events, Iranian officials have reportedly urged their proxy terrorist groups in the Middle East to reduce attacks on the United States. This move comes as a result of Iran’s fear of a more direct conflict with the American military. The decision to scale back on attacks follows the US response to an attack that claimed the lives of three American soldiers operating at a base in Jordan earlier this month. In response to the attack, the US launched a series of strikes, prompting Iran to reconsider its aggressive stance.
According to the New York Times, since the US retaliated, there have been no Iran-backed attacks on American forces in Iraq and only two in Syria. This is a significant decrease compared to the over 100 attacks that the US endured between mid-October and the beginning of February. It appears that Iranian officials are now wary of engaging in direct confrontation with the US, as they understand that further American casualties could lead to an all-out war.
Sina Azodi, an Iran security expert at George Washington University, explained, “They are scared of direct confrontation with the U.S., they know that if Americans are killed again it would mean war. They had to put the brakes on the militia and convince them that a war with the U.S. could harm Tehran first and then by extension the entire axis.”
It is important to note that Iran has been providing support and exerting influence over various proxy groups throughout the Middle East. This support ranges from financial and military aid to Hamas in Gaza to funding terrorist organizations operating in Iraq and Syria. Additionally, Iran has significant influence over Hezbollah, a notorious terrorist group operating in Lebanon. Lastly, Iran has been backing Houthi rebels in Yemen, who have been causing disruptions to international shipping through the Red Sea during the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
In an effort to avoid direct conflict with the US, Brig. Gen. Esmail Ghaani, commander in chief of the Iranian Quds Forces, traveled to Iraq to meet with leaders of militia groups. During these meetings, he offered new plans to prevent an all-out war with the US. This move demonstrates Iran’s commitment to finding a peaceful resolution and avoiding further escalation.
Interestingly, this drawdown in attacks coincides with Israel’s preparation for its final major operation against Hamas terrorists embedded in Rafah. Israeli officials estimate that a quarter of Hamas’ forces remain in the area, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s regime has assured civilians that they will have the opportunity to evacuate before the attack.
As tensions in the Middle East continue to simmer, it is crucial for all parties involved to prioritize dialogue and diplomacy over violence. The reduction in attacks by Iranian proxy groups is a positive step towards de-escalation and should be seen as an opportunity for diplomatic engagement. It remains to be seen how the situation will unfold, but for now, both Iran and the US seem to be treading cautiously to avoid a direct confrontation that could have severe consequences for the entire region.
