Beardslee: Iran’s Seven Terror Marionettes

No longer content to hide behind its terrorist proxies, Iran launched an unprecedented direct attack on Israel from Iranian soil on April 13, 2024.

Iran lifted the veil and is now actively attacking Israel. The shadow war between Israel and Iran is over. Now, more than ever, it's imperative the U.S. stand shoulder to shoulder with our ally. Iran is the true face of evil, responsible for the death and destruction the world has witnessed in the region since Iran's terrorist proxy, Hamas, launched the brutal attack on Israel on 10/7.

Israel faces threats on seven fronts, and Iran is the puppet master pulling the strings of its seven terror marionettes.

The world witnessed the destructive forces Israel faces on the Gaza front last fall. Hamas is the power center in Gaza, receiving $100 million annually from the Iran puppet master. Hamas does not believe the state of Israel should exist.

The West Bank is the second front where Iran uses its influence to target Israel. The Iran puppet master pumps a portion of the $100 million it gives to Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad to spread its hatred towards Israel here. The Palestinian Authority has no control in the West Bank, with the real power center being the Iranian influence.

Hezbollah, operating from Lebanon on Israel’s northern border, is the third front where Israel confronts Iranian aggression from its terrorist proxy. Hezbollah receives $700 million annually from Iran, using this Iranian largesse to build a massive arsenal with more than 150,000 missiles, rockets, anti-tank missiles, drone technology, and mortars.

The Houthis, operating out of Yemen, are yet another front Israel must guard against Iran. This Iranian terrorist marionette receives $100 million from Iran, using this money to disrupt shipping in the Red Sea and to target Israel with its Iranian-paid-for drones and missiles.

On the fifth and sixth fronts, the puppet master is using its influence to build a land bridge from Iran to Israel’s northern border. Iraqi Shia militias receive $150 million annually from Iran to build an arsenal of rockets, missiles, and drones. Iran also financially supports terrorist-minded militants in Syria, who have allied with Russian forces stationed in this country, to the tune of $50 billion since 2012.

Iran is the final front. In April 2024, the world watched as Iran attacked Israel for the first time from Iranian soil. This state sponsor of terror is the greatest threat to Israel and to peace and prosperity in the Middle East. Iran has been emboldened by American weakness. Peace comes through strength. While some at home don’t see how these conflicts involve the U.S., Iran has used each of these terror marionettes to murder Americans. If and when America projects strength and supports its allies, these types of conflicts will be avoided. Ultimately, this American leadership abroad strengthens our security here at home.

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Iran can end this today by standing down and instructing its terror marionettes to stand down and release the hostages.

When it comes to the multiple fronts where Israel is under attack, Iran is the common thread. Peace is possible in the region but only when Iran and its terrorist marionettes no longer pose a threat to Israel, to the countries in the Abraham Accords, and to future Abraham Accords partners who want to grow deeper ties with the Jewish State.

Keith Beardslee is vice president of Seen Read Heard. He specializes in managing the public profiles of CEOs, major corporations, national trade associations, candidates, and public policy campaigns.