Iran’s leaders are trying to prevent the disarmament of their non-state allies in an effort to rebuild the national security strategy shattered by a year of Israeli and U.S. military operations. Seeking to avoid being drawn into regional wars provoked by Iran’s allies, governments in the region are striving to exercise full sovereignty and a monopoly on armed force within their territories. A key Iranian leader, Ali Larijani, visited Beirut and Baghdad last week to dissuade leaders there from trying to disarm Lebanese Hezbollah and Iran-aligned Iraqi militias, respectively. Iranian officials stress that efforts to disarm Iran’s allies emanate from Washington and will render the region’s Shia Muslim populations vulnerable to Israel and Sunni jihadist organizations.
Iran Resists Disarmament of Its Regional Allies – The Soufan Center
