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Smoke rises from Tehran after an Israeli assault. Source: AAP / AP / Vahid Salemi
“While there is significant opposition across the region to the way that Israel is prosecuting this war, and its unilateral attack on Iran at a time when nuclear talks were ongoing and it was thought that a deal might be able to be reached, no state actually wants Iran to be able to have nuclear weapons.”
However, Deakin University’s research fellow Ali Mamouri told SBS News that Iran has “chosen not to deploy all its options yet,” mentioning alliances with militias in Yemen and Iraq.
Houthis and Iraqi militias
About 25 per cent of global oil supply passes through the narrow strait, which is off the south of Iran.
Israel’s air defence system fires to intercept missiles during an Iranian attack over Tel Aviv on Thursday. Source: AAP / AP / Leo Correa
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement started attacking ships in the Red Sea area in November 2023 in what it said was in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
The Houthi forces in the Red Sea also have potential to aggravate global trade disruptions, according to Ali, but: “It appears Iran is exercising some caution and refraining from broadening the conflict, while holding out for a diplomatic solution that could arise soon.”
Earlier this week, 21 Muslim-majority countries issued a statement supporting Iran and condemning Israel’s airstrikes, demanding urgent de-escalation.
Hezbollah
Hezbollah’s forces have not been mobilised.
Jordan
“It cannot go to war with Israel but on the other hand it’s not happy with what’s happening between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.”
Conduit said Jordan has historically taken a centrist position in the Middle East and “will really struggle to do anything significant”.
Russia
“Iran can see now clearly that there is no international protection for the country.”
