Spotlight on Iran and the Shiite Axis

This week, senior Iranian officials resumed their threats to retaliate for the Israeli
attack on Iran on October 26, 2024. They stressed that Iran is committed to taking revenge on
Israel and would do so at the time and in the manner it saw fit.

High-level reciprocal visits between Iran and Syria: Ali Larijani, advisor to the Supreme
Leader of Iran, visited Syria and Lebanon and met with senior government officials in
Damascus and Beirut. The Iranian defense minister also visited Syria and met with senior
government officials, headed by President Assad. The Syrian foreign minister also visited
Tehran and met with his Iranian counterpart.

It was reported that Iran had informed Hezbollah of its commitment to rebuild
southern Lebanon, the Dahiyeh in Beirut, and the destruction caused in the Beqaa Valley after
the war. The IRGC deputy commander and the Iranian foreign minister emphasized Iran’s
continued commitment to supporting Hezbollah and the “resistance front” in the region.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq issued 17 statements claiming responsibility for drone
attacks against targets in Israel. The Saraya Awliya al-Dam militia claimed responsibility for
four more attacks.

The IDF Spokesperson announced the interception of at least five drones, some of
them in Syrian territory. Israel reportedly conveyed a message to the Iraqi government that if
militia attacks did not stop, it would attack Iraq. “Elements” in the militias threatened to
respond by expanding attacks against Israel if it acted against them, and the Iraqi government
claimed that it was working to prevent the use of Iraqi territory to carry out attacks.