Iran

Brigadier General Ismail Qaani’s public remarks offer some insights into the fundamental tenets of his thinking and ability to deal with delicate political problems, however they do not reveal Suleimani-style coded messages to the United States and Israel.

Iran’s oil resurgence is a critical market and political development, but the Iranian energy industry remains in a shaky state.

If the Houthis are attacking Israel, their local rivals will be less inclined to attack them.

In offering support for Hamas and the Palestinian cause, Tehran is likely to avoid direct regime – or irretrievable Hezbollah – entanglement to shield its core strategic interests.

While there are ways Hezbollah could become involved in the Israel-Hamas conflict, neither Hezbollah nor Iran appears interested in a wider regional war.

Quds Force chief Ismail Qaani’s foreign visits reveal minor anomalies regarding Palestinian affairs.

The Iranian regime has its weaknesses, but, for now, there is no prospect of the regime’s imminent collapse.

As long as the nature or degree of Iran’s involvement in the conflict between Israel and Hamas is disputed, Tehran will continue to reap rewards.