The Israeli newspaper "Jerusalem Post" concluded that the escalation of attacks by the "Axis of Resistance" factions against the United States and Israel, including Iraqi factions, is merely an Iranian attempt to improve its standing on the regional chessboard and to exploit the internal focus of the U.S. on the presidential elections as Joe Biden exits and Kamala Harris tests her candidacy.
The Israeli report indicated that Iran is increasing its use of proxy militias to launch attacks on American forces in Iraq and Syria after several months of calm. It noted that Iranian media announced a rocket attack on July 26 against a U.S. location in the Deir ez-Zor region of Syria.
The report recalled an attack that killed three American soldiers in Jordan last January, carried out by the Iran-backed Hezbollah Brigades in Iraq, which has recently threatened the United States and Saudi Arabia, suggesting it could resort to escalation due to the Gaza war. It added that the Houthis in Yemen have also intensified their attacks, targeting Tel Aviv on July 19.
The report considered that Iran is currently activating its militias in Syria to increase attacks on the United States, adding that all of this represents a planned and coordinated attempt by Iran to exert maximum pressure on the U.S. and open a multi-front war against Israel.
Moreover, the report pointed out that Iran has utilized its militias in Iraq to initiate new attacks on U.S. forces, highlighting a recently announced attack on U.S. forces at Ain al-Asad base on July 24. This is among the recent attacks in Iraq that indicate that Iran has ordered its militias to return to targeting the U.S., similar to what it has been doing since the onset of the U.S.-backed Israeli war on Gaza in October 2023.
After questioning the reasons behind Iran's resurgence in launching attacks on the U.S. in Iraq and Syria, the report noted that this comes amid heightened activity from the Houthis and Hezbollah against Israel, alongside escalations from Iran-backed groups targeting the Golan.
For instance, the report mentioned that Iran-backed groups announced they are coordinating with the Houthis to launch "joint" attacks, pointing out that Iraqi militias recently discussed targeting Eilat with a drone strike, while the Houthis have repeatedly stated since July 20 that they would retaliate for Israeli airstrikes on the port of Hodeidah on July 20, which acted as Israeli retaliation for the Houthi attack on Tel Aviv.
The Israeli report explained that the Iranian escalation occurs at a time when Tehran feels that the United States is focused on internal political issues, adding that Iran may also wish to take advantage of President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the presidential race.
The report also highlighted that Iran may be attempting to test Vice President Kamala Harris, who has become the likely Democratic candidate in the presidential elections. It noted that the U.S. might seek to reduce tensions through discussions in Oman or elsewhere, and that Iran also realizes that negotiations regarding hostages between Israel and Hamas are still ongoing. It concluded that Iran "wants to improve its position on the regional chessboard before any ceasefire."
