Iran’s Axis of Resistance: How a once-formidable shield is falling apart

Iran spent decades after its 1979 Islamic Revolution in building a network of regional alliances and proxy militia across the Middle East that accepted Tehran’s leadership and shared its vision of fighting what they called Western imperialism. 

This ‘Axis of Resistance’, as it was collectively called, consists of groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) in Iraq, Houthi militants in Yemen, and Hamas in Gaza. 

ALSO READ | Why have Houthi rebels warned against a US-Iran showdown? Military spokesperson explains consequences

These groups shared Iran’s opposition to Israel and the US, despite their differing religious/political ideologies. 

For decades, Iran funded and armed these nations to deter attacks on their own soil. 

These alliances gave Iran a way to project power across the region without getting directly involved in wars. However, in its ongoing conflict with Israel, this network is showing serious signs of strain.

 

Hezbollah

Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shia paramilitary group and Iran's most formidable proxy, has not launched any major retaliation since Israel's attacks on Iranian territory. 

This is because Israeli strikes over the past year have degraded its arsenal and infrastructure, and killed its long-time leader Hassan Nasrallah, marking a turning point. 

According to the Wall Street Journal, Arab diplomats with knowledge of the group’s internal deliberations say Hezbollah is focused on regrouping, and feels Tehran did little to protect it during its own conflict with Israel in 2024. 

The group’s current leadership is said to be prioritising a rebuild over entering a fresh war. 

ALSO READ | US joins Israel in war, 3 key Iranian nuclear sites hit with 'full payload of bombs', says Trump

Hamas

Hamas, the Palestinian militant group in Gaza, remains severely weakened. 

After nearly two years of war with Israel, much of Gaza lies in ruins, with its command structure and military structure crippled and many of Hamas' senior leaders dead. 

Although Hamas initiated the October 2023 attacks against Israel that plunged the Middle East into chaos, Iran's response was restrained: while it offered political support and condemned Israel, its military backing was limited. 

Israel has rendered Hamas unable to deter or threaten it for the foreseeable future, making it irrelevant in the current round of conflict.

 

Syria

The oldest member of Iran’s Axis of Resistance and a key regional ally that played a central role in Tehran’s geopolitical strategy was a Syria led by the Assad family regime. 

Damascus was among the first to back Iran after the 1979 revolution and remained a rare Arab ally. In return, Iran supported the Assad regime during the Syrian civil war. 

However, in December 2024, Assad’s government was brought down after an 11-day attack by the Turkish-backed militia Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham. 

The collapse led to the loss of billions in Iranian investments and disrupted Iran’s main corridor to the Arab world, further fracturing Hezbollah and catalysing Iran’s regional decline.

ALSO READ | Will Iran strike Israel's nuclear reactor in Dimona? Iranian MP's warning stokes fears

Iraq

In Iraq, a group of Iranian-aligned Shiite militias had long harassed US troops, guarded Iranian interests, and amplified Tehran's influence in Baghdad, according to an NDTV report. 

Now, only one group, Kataib Hezbollah, has issued a threat: "If America dares to intervene in the war, we will directly target its interests and military bases spread across the region without hesitation." 

Since January, following Israel's strikes on Iranian soil, the Shiite militias have issued only muted condemnations. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani, a moderate with ties to both Tehran and Washington, has also quietly urged militia commanders to stay out of the conflict as much as possible, the report added.

 

Houthis

Yemen's Houthis have been the most visibly active Iranian ally in recent months, firing several missiles at Israel and maintaining their anti-American and anti-Israel rhetoric. 

However, even they have tapered off. After several of their missile batteries were destroyed in US airstrikes in March and April, the group has been treading carefully. 

Houthi leadership maintains close coordination with Tehran, but its public positioning is notably more independent. Their leaders, analysts say, are unlikely to endanger their position in Yemen unless Iran is directly invaded or the US becomes a full party to the conflict, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Now, with the US having joined Israel in the conflict by bombing nuclear sites in Iran, it remains to be seen if the Houthis will make good on their earlier threat of attacking US warships in retribution. 

 

What does this mean for Iran?

The current silence from its proxies has left Iran exposed. For the first time in decades, Iran may be facing Israel (and the US) largely alone. 

Analysts suggest this is Iran’s weakest position since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The Axis of Resistance, once Iran’s main deterrent, is either weakened or inactive, prompting Tehran to seek new alliances and rebuild, amid fears of further destabilisation.

Middle East