How War in Ukraine Increases Iran’s Threat to Israel

Reports on Thursday morning, February 24, showed Russian attacks across Ukraine, including against key airports and military sites. Air raid sirens were heard in western Ukraine and in Lviv, where some countries, including Israel, have relocated their embassies.

The message that Russia’s unprovoked attack has for the world is clear: other countries can do the same.

In the Middle East, Iran understands that the Russian operation gives it a blank check to continue attacking countries throughout the region. This has potential repercussions for Israel. Jerusalem has always behaved as if it will have to face Iran alone, but the conflict in Ukraine is yet another message for the Middle East.

While Israel-Iran tensions have gone on for decades, the question is whether the Russian war in Ukraine will open a Pandora’s Box of similar invasions and wars.

There is a chance that the war in Ukraine and the US focus on it could lead Iran to believe it can exploit this chaotic time to encourage its proxies to attack Israel. Hezbollah has been threatening Israel and increasingly stockpiling missiles and drones. Tehran could benefit from the Ukraine crisis by either getting a reduction in nuclear sanctions or empowering its proxies.

To understand Iran’s current posture is to understand that in many ways, Iran’s attacks on countries in the region foreshadowed Russia’s aggression. Iran has encouraged its proxies and allies in the region to attack countries such as the United Arab Emirates, as well as US forces in Iraq and Israel.

Iran openly moves drones and ballistic missiles across borders in the Middle East. This week, Israel alleged that the Islamic Republic was providing drone technology to Venezuela. Iran has armed the Houthis in Yemen and sent advisers to encourage their war against Saudi Arabia. It has also empowered Iraqi militias such as Kataib Hezbollah, which has carried out attacks against Saudi Arabia and the UAE alongside its militia partners in Iraq.

In addition, Iran constructed a base near Albukamal in Syria to facilitate the movement of weapons there and to Lebanon, where Iran has helped Hezbollah stockpile masses of missiles. Tehran also backs Hamas, which has recently rolled out new drone and missile threats.

Overall, the Iranian posture in the region is one that tests the new world order, which shows that countries that are willing to carry out unprovoked attacks will not suffer consequences. (i365 / VFI News)

He has bent His bow and made me the target of His arrows. - Lamentations 3:12