Turmoil in the Mideast
Israel-Hamas War Iran-Pakistan Tensions Houthi Red Sea Attacks Fears of a Widening Conflict
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Why Iran Is the Common Link in Conflicts From Gaza to Pakistan
Iran’s long history of building up proxy forces that fight its enemies around the region, as well as its conflicts with separatist and terrorist groups, have played into a spate of recent conflicts.
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Pro-government Iranians gathering near a banner that warns Iran’s enemies — in Farsi and in Hebrew — to “Prepare your coffins,” on Tuesday in Tehran. Credit...Arash Khamooshi for The New York Times
By Cassandra Vinograd
Jan. 18, 2024
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Israel and Gaza. Yemen and the Red Sea. Lebanon, Syria, Iraq — and now Pakistan, too.
At every flashpoint in a set of conflicts spanning 1,800 miles and involving a hodgepodge of unpredictable armed actors and interests, there’s been a common thread: Iran. Tehran has left its imprint with its behind-the-scenes-backing of combatants in places like Lebanon and Yemen, and with this week’s direct missile strikes on targets in Iraq, Syria and Pakistan.
The Iran connection stems partly from Iran’s decades-long efforts to deter threats and undermine foes by building up like-minded militias across the Middle East.
In addition, Iran itself, like neighboring countries, faces armed separatist movements and terrorist groups in conflicts that readily spill over borders.
But what does Pakistan have to do with Gaza? Here’s a look at how Iran ties together recent tensions.
Conflicts near the Middle East
TURKMENISTAN
Syria and Iraq
TURKEY
Iran strikes
Islamic State targets
U.S. clashes with
Iran-linked militants
Clashes along
Israel-Lebanon
border
SYria
AFghanistan
IRAQ
Israel
Iran
Clashes in
West Bank
Israel’s war
with Hamas
in Gaza
PAKISTAN
KUWAIT
Iran and Pakistan
EGYPT
Pakistani retaliatory
strike against
separatists
Iranian strike
targeting
militants
Qatar
INdia
Saudi
Arabia
U.A.E.
OMAN
Red Sea
YEMEN
Sudan
Houthis attacking
ships in Red Sea
U.S.-led strikes against
Houthi targets
250 miles
Syria and Iraq
TURKMENISTAN
Iran strikes
Islamic State
targets
TURKEY
U.S. clashes with
Iran-linked militants
Clashes along
Israel-Lebanon
border
SYria
AFghanistan
IRAQ
Israel
Iran
Clashes in
West Bank
Israel’s war
with Hamas
in Gaza
Iran and Pakistan
KUWAIT
PAKISTAN
Pakistani retaliatory
strike against
separatists
Iranian strike
targeting
militants
EGYPT
Qatar
Saudi
Arabia
U.A.E.
OMAN
Red Sea
Sudan
YEMEN
U.S.-led strikes against
Houthi targets
Houthis attacking
ships in Red Sea
250 miles
Syria and Iraq
TURKMENISTAN
Iran strikes Islamic
State targets
U.S. clashes with
Iran-linked militants
Pakistani
retaliatory
strike against
separatists
SYria
IRAQ
Iran
Israel
Clashes in
West Bank
KUWAIT
PAK.
Iran and
Pakistan
Israel’s war
with Hamas
in Gaza
Clashes along
Israel-Lebanon
border
Qatar
Iranian strike
targeting
militants
Saudi Arabia
U.A.E.
OMAN
Houthis
attacking
ships in
Red Sea
U.S.-led
strikes
against
Houthi targets
YEMEN
Red Sea
250 miles
By Lazaro Gamio
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A version of this article appears in print on Jan. 19, 2024, Section A, Page 6 of the New York edition with the headline: Why Iran Is the Common Link in a String of Conflicts, From Gaza to Pakistan . Order Reprints | Today’s Paper | Subscribe
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