July 10, 2025 | Haaretz
From Spearhead to Spectator: Why Hezbollah Sat Out Iran’s War With Israel
Despite passing Israeli fears of its intervention, Hezbollah – Iran's primary extension – conspicuously sat out the 12-day fight, while also cheering on the Islamic Republic from the sidelines
July 10, 2025 | Haaretz
From Spearhead to Spectator: Why Hezbollah Sat Out Iran’s War With Israel
Despite passing Israeli fears of its intervention, Hezbollah – Iran's primary extension – conspicuously sat out the 12-day fight, while also cheering on the Islamic Republic from the sidelines
Excerpt
Iran spent decades building Hezbollah as its first line of defense. The group’s once-massive capabilities were meant to deter Israel or the United States from attacking the Islamic Republic and its nuclear capabilities, and for retaliation in case that deterrence failed.
David Daoud is Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies where he focuses on Israel, Hezbollah and Lebanon affairs. On X: @DavidADaoud