Iran's Geopolitical Chessboard: Allies, Enemies, And Shifting Power

Prof. Waino Jacobi PhD 22 Jun 2025

The geopolitical landscape of the Middle East is a tapestry woven with intricate alliances and bitter rivalries, none more complex perhaps than the dynamic involving the allies and enemies of Iran. For decades, the Islamic Republic has navigated a treacherous international arena, meticulously cultivating a network of partners while simultaneously confronting formidable adversaries. Understanding this intricate web is crucial for comprehending the region's volatility and the broader implications for global stability.

From historical friendships that turned into sworn enmities to newly forged strategic partnerships, Iran's foreign policy is a masterclass in adapting to an ever-changing world. This article delves deep into the core relationships that define Iran's standing, exploring the motivations behind its alliances, the roots of its rivalries, and the profound impact these dynamics have on the Middle East and beyond.

The Axis of Resistance: Iran's Regional Proxy Network
Key Regional Allies: A Deeper Dive
Global Backing: Russia and China
Shifting Sands: The Evolving Dynamics of Iran's Allies
Arch-Enemies: The Long Shadow of Conflict
Proxy Wars and Regional Confrontations
The Weight of Isolation: Historical Context
Navigating the Geopolitical Maze: Iran's Future

The Axis of Resistance: Iran's Regional Proxy Network

For over four decades since its Islamic Revolution in 1979, Iran has strategically invested heavily in building and supporting an expanding number of allied fighting forces throughout the Middle East. This extensive network, often referred to as the "Axis of Resistance," serves as a cornerstone of Tehran's regional influence and a crucial component of its defense strategy. These groups, while operating with different goals and limitations, share a common political alignment and often common enemies, primarily Israel and, at times, Saudi Arabia and the United States.

The core of this strategy involves fostering these groups over decades, enabling them to carry out attacks on countries that Iran has viewed as adversaries. Iran's Quds Force, an elite special forces unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), plays a pivotal role in training, arming, and advising these proxy allies. This web of armed partners, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, significantly strengthens Iran's influence across the Middle East and could pose a substantial threat to U.S. interests and forces in the region.

The establishment of this axis has been a long-term project, designed to create strategic depth and deterrence capabilities far beyond Iran's borders. It allows Tehran to project power and respond to perceived threats without direct military engagement, thereby minimizing the risk of a full-scale conventional war. This network of allies and enemies of Iran defines much of the regional power balance.

Key Regional Allies: A Deeper Dive

Iran’s key regional allies form a diverse but interconnected group, each playing a specific role in Tehran's broader strategy. These relationships are not merely transactional; they are often rooted in ideological alignment, shared grievances, and mutual strategic interests.

Hezbollah in Lebanon

Perhaps the most formidable and well-established of Iran's proxies, Hezbollah is a powerful Shiite political party and militant group in Lebanon. Iran’s support for Hezbollah dates back to the early 1980s, transforming it into a highly capable fighting force. Hezbollah's military prowess and political influence within Lebanon make it a critical strategic asset for Iran, acting as a deterrent against Israel and a key player in regional conflicts, particularly in Syria.

The Houthi Movement in Yemen

In Yemen, the Houthi movement (Ansar Allah) has emerged as a significant ally for Iran. While their relationship has deepened more recently, particularly during the Yemeni civil war, Iran has provided substantial support to the Houthis. This alliance grants Iran influence on the Arabian Peninsula and a strategic foothold overlooking the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a vital shipping lane. The Houthis' ability to launch missile and drone attacks has demonstrated their disruptive potential in the Red Sea region.

Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip

Iran has long been a vocal supporter of Palestinian groups, particularly Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) in the Gaza Strip. The 1979 revolution dramatically changed Iran's relationship with Israel, turning Tehran into a staunch advocate for the Palestinian cause. Iran has provided these groups with financial aid, weapons, and training, enabling them to carry out attacks on Israel. This support is a direct manifestation of Iran's anti-Israel stance and its commitment to the "Axis of Resistance."

Iraqi Militias (PMF)

In Iraq, Iran maintains close ties with several militias, most notably elements within the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). These Shiite-majority groups, many of which were formed to fight ISIS, have strong ideological and operational links to Iran. They serve to strengthen Iran's influence within Iraq's political and security landscape, often challenging U.S. presence and interests in the country. Their presence ensures that Iran has a significant say in the affairs of its western neighbor.

Global Backing: Russia and China

Beyond its regional proxy network, Iran's key global allies are Russia and China. These two major powers provide crucial diplomatic and economic support, often acting as a counterbalance to Western pressure. Their relationship with Iran is driven by shared geopolitical interests, including a desire to challenge the unipolar world order dominated by the United States and to secure energy resources and strategic partnerships.

Both Russia and China have consistently condemned Israel’s strikes against Iranian interests or its allies, often aligning with Tehran's narrative on regional conflicts. More significantly, they have previously shielded Tehran from punitive resolutions at the UN Security Council, using their veto power to block measures that would impose further sanctions or military action against Iran. Russia, for instance, has explicitly warned the United States not to take military action against Iran, underscoring the depth of their strategic coordination.

This global alignment provides Iran with a vital lifeline, allowing it to circumvent some international sanctions and maintain a degree of diplomatic leverage. It complicates efforts by Western powers to isolate Iran, as any significant action against Tehran must contend with the potential opposition of two permanent members of the UN Security Council. This intricate dance of allies and enemies of Iran extends far beyond the Middle East, touching the highest echelons of global diplomacy.

Shifting Sands: The Evolving Dynamics of Iran's Allies

Despite decades of meticulous effort in building its "Axis of Resistance," the recent period has seen some significant shifts and challenges to the cohesion and effectiveness of Iran's regional allies. While Iran has invested heavily in these relationships, their responses during heightened regional tensions have sometimes been less unified than anticipated.

For instance, after Israel launched a series of attacks following recent events, Iran's allies have been largely silent or have engaged in limited, symbolic actions rather than a full-scale coordinated response. This perceived quietness has led to questions about the immediate readiness or willingness of these groups to enter a broader fray. Some of Iran's key allies have been weakened militarily, and many have opted to stay on the sidelines of direct conflict with Israel, seemingly unwilling or unable to fully commit.

While Iran's allies in Syria, Gaza, and Lebanon have faced significant challenges and have been weakened in various capacities, it's important to remember that Iran still maintains other avenues of influence and has continued to cultivate ties with various nations. However, the almost invisible powers of the "Axis of Resistance" in certain critical moments suggest a strategic recalibration or perhaps a recognition of their own limitations. This evolving dynamic highlights the fluid nature of the relationships between the allies and enemies of Iran, where even long-standing partnerships can face periods of restraint.

Arch-Enemies: The Long Shadow of Conflict

While Iran has meticulously built its network of allies, it also faces deeply entrenched enmities that have shaped its foreign policy and regional interactions. The most prominent of these adversaries are Israel and Saudi Arabia, two nations with whom Iran's relationship has undergone dramatic transformations.

The long and complex history between Iran and Israel is particularly striking, having transitioned from friends to covert allies, and now to sworn enemies. The truth is, there was a time when Iran and Israel stood side by side, not as enemies, but as allies. Ancient bonds, long before modern states, saw the friendship between Persians and Jews stretch back millennia. However, the 1979 Islamic Revolution fundamentally altered this dynamic. Tehran became a vocal supporter of Palestinians and an ardent opponent of Israel, viewing the latter as an illegitimate entity and a primary source of regional instability. This ideological shift transformed a historical alliance into an enduring animosity, making the stakes even higher in the Middle East.

Similarly, Iran and Saudi Arabia have long been regional rivals, competing for influence and ideological supremacy. While tensions between the two have recently soared, their rivalry is deeply rooted in historical, religious (Sunni vs. Shiite), and geopolitical differences. Each nation has its own powerful allies and enemies in the region, creating a complex web of proxy conflicts and diplomatic maneuvering. The competition between these two regional heavyweights often plays out in other countries, exacerbating existing conflicts and creating new flashpoints. The dynamic between these two powerful entities is central to understanding the broader landscape of allies and enemies of Iran.

Proxy Wars and Regional Confrontations

The complex interplay between Iran's allies and enemies often manifests in proxy wars and regional confrontations, where direct military engagement between major powers is avoided, but their influence is exerted through local actors. These conflicts are a defining feature of the Middle East's security landscape, allowing the main players to pursue their strategic objectives without triggering a wider, more devastating war.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza serves as a stark example. Alongside the war in Gaza, Iran’s regional allies and U.S. forces have engaged in scores of attacks and retaliations across the region. These clashes, while often localized, carry the constant risk of escalation. Despite the dangerous tit-for-tat exchanges, both Iran and the United States, along with their respective allies, consistently state their desire to avert a wider war. However, the very nature of proxy conflicts makes de-escalation challenging, as the actions of non-state actors can quickly spiral out of control, pulling in larger powers. This delicate balance of deterrence and limited engagement underscores the precarious nature of the region, where the lines between allies and enemies of Iran are constantly tested and redrawn.

The Weight of Isolation: Historical Context

While Iran today actively cultivates its network of allies, its history also includes periods of profound isolation. Following its revolution, particularly during the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), Iran found itself largely alone on the international stage. This period saw Iran become even more isolated, with virtually no allies, facing a formidable enemy in Iraq that was supported by numerous global powers.

The war was brutal and protracted, pushing Iran to its limits. Exhausted by the conflict, Iran eventually signed UN Security Council Resolution 598 in July 1988, which led to a ceasefire. This decision came after the United States and Germany, among others, began supplying Iraq with chemical weapons, a stark reminder of the international community's stance at the time. The ceasefire resulting from the UN resolution was implemented on August 20, 1988. This historical experience of severe isolation and facing a globally backed adversary deeply impacted Iran's strategic thinking, reinforcing its commitment to building self-reliance and fostering a robust network of regional allies to prevent a similar scenario from recurring.

Navigating the Geopolitical Maze: Iran's Future

The intricate web of allies and enemies of Iran is a dynamic and constantly evolving landscape. Tehran's ability to project power and safeguard its interests hinges on its capacity to maintain and adapt its "Axis of Resistance" while navigating complex relationships with global powers and regional rivals. The recent silence or limited engagement from some of its key regional allies during critical junctures highlights the challenges and limitations of this proxy strategy, suggesting that even the most dependable partners may have their own calculations and constraints.

As the Middle East continues to be a hotbed of geopolitical tension, Iran's role will remain central. Its relationships, both adversarial and cooperative, will continue to shape regional conflicts, energy markets, and international diplomacy. Understanding these complex dynamics is not just an academic exercise; it is essential for anyone seeking to comprehend the forces at play in one of the world's most volatile regions.

Conclusion

In summary, Iran's foreign policy is a sophisticated blend of strategic alliances and entrenched rivalries. From its deeply cultivated "Axis of Resistance" featuring Hezbollah, the Houthis, Hamas, and Iraqi militias, to its crucial global partnerships with Russia and China, Iran has meticulously built a network to project influence and counter adversaries. Simultaneously, its historical animosities with Israel and Saudi Arabia continue to define regional power struggles, often playing out through proxy conflicts.

The journey of understanding the allies and enemies of Iran reveals a nation determined to assert its regional standing, learning from past isolation and adapting to current geopolitical realities. The future of the Middle East will undoubtedly be shaped by how these complex relationships evolve. What are your thoughts on Iran's strategic alliances? Share your insights in the comments below, or explore more of our articles on Middle Eastern geopolitics to deepen your understanding!

Iran’s Allies Feel the Pain of American Sanctions - The New York Times

U.S. Takes a Risk: Old Iraqi Enemies Are Now Allies - The New York Times

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