For over four decades, the Islamic Republic has built its regional strategy around exporting the Islamic Revolution through a network of proxy organizations.
Today, however, that strategy faces an unprecedented financial constraint.
The Axis needs more money than Iran may realistically be able to provide.
There are already indications that Hamas no longer occupies the highest position in Tehran’s hierarchy of priorities. The events of October 7 fundamentally altered regional dynamics, and Iran may increasingly view Hezbollah and the Houthis as more strategically valuable assets.
Even Hezbollah, however, cannot assume unlimited Iranian support.
This raises an important strategic question.
Will Tehran continue to prioritize financing its regional proxy network despite mounting domestic economic pressures, or will it redirect greater resources toward stabilizing its own economy?
History offers an important clue.
Since 1979, the Islamic Republic has repeatedly demonstrated its willingness to endure significant domestic economic hardship in pursuit of its regional and ideological objectives. While public dissatisfaction has grown considerably, successive Iranian governments have continued investing heavily in regional allies despite persistent internal crises.
Khomenei had long emphasized the primacy of Islamic identity over nationalism. As he once argued:
“Those who think in terms of nationalism are against Islam. Islam came to end nationalism… I am not an Iranian first; I am a Muslim.”
Whether one agrees with this worldview or not, it reflects a fundamental principle of the Islamic Republic’s strategic thinking: the preservation of the Revolution has consistently taken precedence over short-term economic considerations.
If that principle continues to guide Tehran’s decision-making, Iranian citizens may once again bear much of the economic burden of sustaining Iran’s regional ambitions.
Today, however, that strategy faces an unprecedented financial constraint.
The Axis needs more money than Iran may realistically be able to provide.
There are already indications that Hamas no longer occupies the highest position in Tehran’s hierarchy of priorities. The events of October 7 fundamentally altered regional dynamics, and Iran may increasingly view Hezbollah and the Houthis as more strategically valuable assets.
Even Hezbollah, however, cannot assume unlimited Iranian support.
This raises an important strategic question.
Will Tehran continue to prioritize financing its regional proxy network despite mounting domestic economic pressures, or will it redirect greater resources toward stabilizing its own economy?
History offers an important clue.
Since 1979, the Islamic Republic has repeatedly demonstrated its willingness to endure significant domestic economic hardship in pursuit of its regional and ideological objectives. While public dissatisfaction has grown considerably, successive Iranian governments have continued investing heavily in regional allies despite persistent internal crises.
Khomenei had long emphasized the primacy of Islamic identity over nationalism. As he once argued:
“Those who think in terms of nationalism are against Islam. Islam came to end nationalism… I am not an Iranian first; I am a Muslim.”
Whether one agrees with this worldview or not, it reflects a fundamental principle of the Islamic Republic’s strategic thinking: the preservation of the Revolution has consistently taken precedence over short-term economic considerations.
If that principle continues to guide Tehran’s decision-making, Iranian citizens may once again bear much of the economic burden of sustaining Iran’s regional ambitions.
Iran’s policy toward its proxy network is unlikely to change fundamentally, particularly with regard to Hezbollah, which Tehran continues to view as a cornerstone of the IRGC’s regional strategy. The more pressing question is not whether Iran intends to support its proxies, but whether it will have the financial means to do so. Over the years, Tehran has made extensive political and financial commitments to its regional allies. Fulfilling those commitments, however, may prove increasingly difficult. Mounting domestic economic pressures, the costs of recent conflicts, continued sanctions, and the financial needs of multiple proxy organizations are placing unprecedented strain on Iran’s resources. As a result, Tehran may soon face difficult choices about how to allocate increasingly limited funds. Whether it can continue financing its proxy network at previous levels remains one of the central strategic questions for the coming years.
Middle East Spectator — MES
— 🇮🇷 NEW: About 12 to 15 million people have attended Ayatollah Khamenei’s funeral ceremony so far, making it the largest funeral in modern history – Financial Times @Middle_East_Spectator
Iranian propaganda at its best. Let’s try to portray a renowned western newspaper affirming a number while it only quoted Iranian officials.
Middle East Coverage
Iranian propaganda at its best. Let’s try to portray a renowned western newspaper affirming a number while it only quoted Iranian officials.
So far it’s basically Fars news, Al Jazeera and Al Mayadeen who accepted the number. All quoting the same source being obviously the Iranian regime officials.
🇻🇦: For many Catholics, the recent excommunications announced by Rome represent a tragic but necessary defense of ecclesiastical authority. For those attached to the Society of Saint Pius X, however, they represent something entirely different: the punishment of priests and bishops who chose fidelity to the Catholic faith over institutional conformity.
The SSPX has always maintained that it was not founded to create a parallel Church. Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre repeatedly insisted that his struggle was not against the papacy but against what he believed were dangerous theological and liturgical innovations introduced after the Second Vatican Council. The Society argues that obedience has limits. Catholic tradition has always taught that authority exists to safeguard the Deposit of Faith—not to alter
the recent episcopal consecrations were not acts of rebellion but acts of necessity.
the Church is experiencing one of the gravest crises in its history: collapsing Mass attendance, empty seminaries, widespread doctrinal confusion, moral scandals, and a dramatic decline in religious practice throughout much of the Western world. If the fruits of the post-conciliar reforms have been so devastating, they argue, should Catholics not have the right—even the duty—to preserve what the Church taught and practiced for centuries?
Critics answer that no bishop may be consecrated without a papal mandate. The SSPX does not deny this general principle. Rather, it invokes the principle of necessity: when the salvation of souls is at stake, extraordinary circumstances may justify extraordinary measures. In its view, the consecrations were intended to ensure that future generations would continue to have bishops capable of ordaining priests, confirming the faithful, and preserving the traditional Roman liturgy.
To many outside observers, this argument is unconvincing. To many within the Society, however, it is precisely what history demands. They point to countless moments in Church history when saints resisted ecclesiastical authorities whom they believed to be acting imprudently or allowing error to spread. They insist that fidelity to Tradition has always been the highest form of obedience because Tradition itself is not the property of any pope or council—it belongs to the entire Church.
The recent excommunications therefore raise a profound question that extends beyond canon law. Is unity simply institutional, or is it also doctrinal? If Catholics sincerely believe that essential elements of the faith are endangered, does obedience require silence, or can fidelity require resistance?
the Society believes the answer is clear. They do not see themselves as founding a new Church or rejecting the papacy. Rather, they are preserving what they believe the Catholic Church has always taught until Rome itself returns to that continuity.
Whether history vindicates or condemns that decision remains to be seen. But for those attached to the Society of Saint Pius X, the issue has never been about disobedience. It has always been about conscience, Tradition, and what they believe to be their duty before God.
The SSPX has always maintained that it was not founded to create a parallel Church. Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre repeatedly insisted that his struggle was not against the papacy but against what he believed were dangerous theological and liturgical innovations introduced after the Second Vatican Council. The Society argues that obedience has limits. Catholic tradition has always taught that authority exists to safeguard the Deposit of Faith—not to alter
the recent episcopal consecrations were not acts of rebellion but acts of necessity.
the Church is experiencing one of the gravest crises in its history: collapsing Mass attendance, empty seminaries, widespread doctrinal confusion, moral scandals, and a dramatic decline in religious practice throughout much of the Western world. If the fruits of the post-conciliar reforms have been so devastating, they argue, should Catholics not have the right—even the duty—to preserve what the Church taught and practiced for centuries?
Critics answer that no bishop may be consecrated without a papal mandate. The SSPX does not deny this general principle. Rather, it invokes the principle of necessity: when the salvation of souls is at stake, extraordinary circumstances may justify extraordinary measures. In its view, the consecrations were intended to ensure that future generations would continue to have bishops capable of ordaining priests, confirming the faithful, and preserving the traditional Roman liturgy.
To many outside observers, this argument is unconvincing. To many within the Society, however, it is precisely what history demands. They point to countless moments in Church history when saints resisted ecclesiastical authorities whom they believed to be acting imprudently or allowing error to spread. They insist that fidelity to Tradition has always been the highest form of obedience because Tradition itself is not the property of any pope or council—it belongs to the entire Church.
The recent excommunications therefore raise a profound question that extends beyond canon law. Is unity simply institutional, or is it also doctrinal? If Catholics sincerely believe that essential elements of the faith are endangered, does obedience require silence, or can fidelity require resistance?
the Society believes the answer is clear. They do not see themselves as founding a new Church or rejecting the papacy. Rather, they are preserving what they believe the Catholic Church has always taught until Rome itself returns to that continuity.
Whether history vindicates or condemns that decision remains to be seen. But for those attached to the Society of Saint Pius X, the issue has never been about disobedience. It has always been about conscience, Tradition, and what they believe to be their duty before God.
Middle East Spectator — MES
— I can’t describe what is happening, I don’t know how to explain to people how insane this funeral is. It’s the awakening of an entire nation. Public life is completely shut down in these cities. People travel from hundreds of kilometers just to visit the…
God damn he is really trying very hard isn’t he ? Trust me fellas you saw my pictures we are millions Wallahi. But in January nothing happened it was just a few CIA /mossad agents. Given how hard they are trying that should be obvious to you that this loud minority doesn’t represent the Iranian people.
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🇮🇷/🇺🇸 : A decisive step following the incidents in the Strait of Hormuz: the United States is reinstating sanctions on Iranian oil.
Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz were completely unacceptable to the US and will have consequences.
Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz were completely unacceptable to the US and will have consequences.
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🇺🇸/ 🇮🇷: Powerful US strikes reported on southern Iran. So far Bandar Abbas is confirmed to have been targeted
Middle East Coverage
🇺🇸/ 🇮🇷: Powerful US strikes reported on southern Iran. So far Bandar Abbas is confirmed to have been targeted
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🇺🇸/🇮🇷: Widespread destruction reported on Bandar Abbas
🇮🇷/ 🇺🇸CNN citing a US official:
Strikes on Iran are a punitive operation and will not end soon
Strikes on Iran are a punitive operation and will not end soon
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🇮🇷/ 🇺🇸: Renewed powerful airstrikes on southern Iran tonight. Targets were mostly control posts and AD positions of the IRGC.
Middle East Coverage
🇮🇷/ 🇺🇸: Renewed powerful airstrikes on southern Iran tonight. Targets were mostly control posts and AD positions of the IRGC.
🇮🇷 : So far most Iranian officials are silent. Some have been claiming a « powerful answer » is on its way but silence radio from the high ranking officials
BREAKING 🇮🇷/ 🇺🇸: Preliminary reports of injured American soldiers due to Iranian strikes on Kuwait
Middle East Coverage
BREAKING 🇮🇷/ 🇺🇸: Preliminary reports of injured American soldiers due to Iranian strikes on Kuwait
Reports on their med-evac to European hospitals.
Middle East Coverage
🇺🇸/🇮🇷: The United States attacks Shiraz in Iran
Given the white smoke, it is likely that a launcher (solid propellant missile) was targeted.
- 🇺🇸🇮🇷 CENTCOM says U.S. forces have begun a wave of strikes against Iran.
Middle East Coverage
Given the white smoke, it is likely that a launcher (solid propellant missile) was targeted.
Iranian media say this is not related to strikes but to detonation of unexploded ordinance
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🇮🇷/ 🇵🇸 : The Iranian journalist, favorable to the ayatollahs' regime Ali Alizadeh:
"Yahya Sinwar was a Zionist agent recruited by Israel to lead Iran into a war against Israel," according to the head of former Iranian President Rouhani’s research center, Hassamoddin Ashna
he was treated and medically rescued by Israel, which is the case.
"Yahya Sinwar was a Zionist agent recruited by Israel to lead Iran into a war against Israel," according to the head of former Iranian President Rouhani’s research center, Hassamoddin Ashna
he was treated and medically rescued by Israel, which is the case.
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🇮🇷/ 🇾🇪: Iran has ordered the Houthis to block the Bab-el-Mandeb strait if Trump follows through on his threats and attacks power plants. (Reuters)