Iran’s “Axis of Resistance” Is Crumbling
Sixteen days after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire ended Israel’s Operation "With a Lion," Iran faces a strategic collapse of its regional “Axis of Resistance.” Dwindling support for proxy groups like Hezbollah signals an unprecedented crisis for Tehran’s influence across the Middle East.
Twitter
Sixteen days after the conclusion of Operation "Rising Lion," marked by a U.S.-brokered ceasefire announced by President Donald Trump, Iran is grappling with the apparent unraveling of its so-called "Axis of Resistance." The network, built over years as a "ring of fire" around Israel through proxy organizations in Lebanon, Iraq, Gaza, and Yemen, is reportedly at its "lowest point in history," according to a well-informed Iranian source cited by the Saudi newspaper *Alef*.
The Islamic Republic, still assessing the damage to its nuclear facilities following 12 days of fighting with Israel and a late U.S. intervention, faces a stark reality: its ability to support allied terror groups has all but collapsed. A source close to Hezbollah acknowledged to *Alef* that Iranian assistance has dwindled to "media statements with no tangible action on the ground." The Shiite militia, which suffered heavy losses in prior clashes with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and refrained from significant action during the recent conflict, exemplifies this shift.
The operation, which began on June 13 and disrupted planned U.S.-Iran talks in Muscat, saw American B-2 bombers strike nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. While the full extent of the damage remains unclear, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi told the BBC that Washington must rule out further attacks to resume nuclear negotiations, though the Trump administration’s stance remains ambiguous.
Hezbollah’s muted response, limited to a condemnation without military action, underscores the strain. Meanwhile, the Ayatollahs’ regime contends with a near-total halt in financial and logistical support to its proxies, a blow compounded by the ongoing uncertainty over its nuclear program’s status.
In more bad news for Hezbollah, Saudi news channel Al Arabiya Al Hadath reports that approximately 10,000 Hezbollah fighters have been rendered completely inactive since the war with Israel began.
According to the sources, more than 4,000 Hezbollah terrorists, including military commanders, senior political bureau members, and fighters, were killed in the recent conflict with Israel. The estimated number of active Hezbollah fighters now stands at around 60,000.
The sources also stated that 2,000 fighters left the organization following the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
In addition, Hezbollah has reportedly closed most of its training camps and bases in the Bekaa Valley and southern Lebanon. Over 80% of the territory south of the Litani River is now under the control of the Lebanese Army, according to the report.
The article also noted that Hezbollah’s medium and heavy weapons were either seized by the Lebanese military or destroyed by Israeli forces.
As Tehran weighs a diplomatic path forward, the fragility of its regional influence is laid bare, raising questions about the future of the "Axis of Resistance" in a rapidly shifting Middle East landscape.