January 28, 2025 | Flash Brief

‘Several Serious Blows’: Iranian FM Admits ‘Damage’ to Proxies

January 28, 2025 | Flash Brief

‘Several Serious Blows’: Iranian FM Admits ‘Damage’ to Proxies

Latest Developments

  • Hamas and Hezbollah ‘Are Rebuilding’: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi conceded that Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon — two of Tehran’s regional proxies — had been dealt “several serious blows” by Israel during the multi-front war sparked by the October 7, 2023, Hamas atrocities in Israel. However, despite the “damage” both groups sustained, they “are rebuilding themselves,” Aragchi stated in an interview with Sky News Australia.
  • Iran Downplays Israeli Threats: Araghchi dismissed Israel’s threats to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities, calling them “crazy” and warning that such an action “would turn the whole region into a very bad disaster.” While expressing doubt that Israel would follow through on its threats, Araghchi cautioned that any attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities would be met with an “immediate and decisive response.”
  • Trump Prefers Diplomatic Option: President Donald Trump expressed hope that the Iranian nuclear crisis could be resolved without Israel resorting to military action against Iran. The Trump administration has emphasized its preference for a diplomatic solution to address the issue with the Islamic Republic. In response, Araghchi warned that “Lots of things should be done by the other side to buy our confidence” ahead of any negotiations.

FDD Expert Response

“As much as the Islamic Republic is trying to tempt Trump into talks to stave off the resumption of U.S. and European maximum pressure and Israeli military strikes, it is still debating how much runway to give to such a move. Araghchi’s comments about the need for the United States to build confidence are likely an attempt to dilute the full-throated call for talks by former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Davos last week. After all, this is a regime that means what it says when it chants “death to America.” — Behnam Ben Taleblu, Iran Program Senior Director and Senior Fellow

“The Islamic Republic views its proxies as crucial to its survival, serving as a deterrent against both domestic unrest and external threats. The regime in Tehran has consistently opted to direct resources toward supporting terrorist groups rather than addressing the needs of Iranians. So long as it remains in power, the regime will continue to prioritize this doctrine and further exacerbate instability across the region.” — Janatan Sayeh, FDD Research Analyst

FDD Background and Analysis

Biden Weighs Strikes on Iranian Nuclear Facilities Should Tehran Dash for Bomb,” FDD Flash Brief

The Curious Case of Iran’s Destroyed Nuclear Site,” by Andrea Stricker

Iran Is Waiting for a President Harris,” by Reuel Marc Gerecht and Ray Takeyh

Issues:

Issues:

Hezbollah Iran Iran Global Threat Network Iran Nuclear Iran Politics and Economy Israel Israel at War

Topics:

Topics:

Iran Israel Hamas Tehran Hezbollah Lebanon Donald Trump Islamic republic Gaza City Reuel Marc Gerecht Mohammad Javad Zarif Ray Takeyh Davos Seyed Abbas Araghchi