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Iran

Spotlight on Syria (March 5 – 12 , 2025)

IDF forces continued targeted raids in the buffer zone in the Golan Heights and the Yarmouk Basin, and attacked military sites in southern Syria and the Damascus area from the air. The foreign ministers of Syria’s neighboring countries condemned "Israel's aggression."; Clashes between Syrian regime forces and pro-Assad forces in Syria’s coastal provinces led to atrocities carried out by supporters of the current regime against the Alawite population. Reports indicate at least 1,200 civilian casualties. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (Abu Muhammad al-Julani) appointed a committee to investigate and promised to punish those responsible. He also rejected Defense Minister Katz’s statement calling him a "jihadist terrorist." Iran and Hezbollah denied involvement in the events; Syrian President al-Sharaa and the commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces signed an agreement to integrate Kurdish forces into state institutions. The implementation of the agreement is expected to take two years; Representatives of the Syrian government and Druze community leaders signed a memorandum of understanding to regulate the administrative and security situation in al-Suwayda.
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Spotlight on Iran and the Shiite Axis (March 5-12, 2025)

The Iranian foreign minister stressed the right of the Palestinians to continue their “resistance” against Israel, criticized President Trump’s proposal to transfer Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, and called for international sanctions on Israel. He also reiterated Iran’s opposition to the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; Iranian media reported extensively on the clashes between the Syrian regime and its opponents in the Alawite coastal strip. The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson denied reports of Iranian involvement in the incidents; Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon claimed that Israel would eventually be forced to withdraw from the five points where it remains in Lebanese territory; The Houthis announced the resumption of their naval operations against “Israeli” vessels after the expiration of the ultimatum set by the movement’s leader for reopening the border crossings into the Gaza Strip and bringing in humanitarian aid; Reports that the United States is increasing pressure on the Iraqi government to bring about the release of Israeli hostage Elizabeth Tsurkov.
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Spotlight on Terrorism: Hezbollah and Lebanon (March 3 – 10 , 2025)

IDF forces continued operations against Hezbollah’s efforts to strengthen its military capabilities and against the organization’s presence in south Lebanon, contrary to the understandings of the ceasefire agreement. A senior terrorist in Hezbollah's elite Radwan Force was eliminated, and a large-scale airstrike attacked Hezbollah military sites in the south of the country; In his first interview, Hezbollah secretary general Na’im Qassem claimed the organization had honored the ceasefire agreement, adding that Hezbollah would not stop the "resistance." Sources close to Hezbollah warned that if the Lebanese state did not act against "Israeli violations," Hezbollah suicide bombers might attack IDF forces; A senior Hezbollah figure asked why Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safi al-Din were in the Dahiyeh al-Janoubia despite Israeli surveillance and accused the organization of negligence and disregard for security measures. According to a Lebanese analyst, such statements indicate growing internal disputes within Hezbollah; Lebanese President Joseph Aoun visited Saudi Arabia and participated in the Arab Emergency Summit on Gaza in Cairo, where he met with foreign leaders, including Syrian President al-Sharaa. Aoun said Lebanon would not give up its land or the prisoners held in Israel and said he opposed the "displacement" of Palestinians; The Trump administration approved a $95 million military aid package for the Lebanese army.
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Spotlight on Iran and the Shiite Axis (February 26 – March 5, 2025)

The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman stressed that the “resistance” in Lebanon is a factor that assists the Lebanese government and called on the guarantor countries of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon to force Israel to withdraw from the five outposts where it still remains in southern Lebanon; Lebanese customs authorities apprehended a Lebanese citizen who arrived from Turkey with a sum of $2.5 million. In his interrogation, he admitted that the money originated in Iran and was intended for Hezbollah; Iran condemned the continued Israeli attacks in Syria and called for international intervention to stop Israel’s activity. Israel’s threats to retaliate in the event of an attack by the Syrian regime on the Druze aroused interest from the Iranian media, which accused Israel of trying to divide the Syrian state for its own interests; The Houthis threatened that if fighting between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip resumed, they would resume attacking Israel and also threatened to strike American bases in the Middle East. The US administration officially added the Houthis to the list of terrorist organizations; The pro-Iranian militias in Iraq refused the Baghdad government’s proposals to disarm and merge with the security forces.
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Spotlight on Terrorism: Hezbollah and Lebanon (February 24 – March 3, 2025)

IDF forces continued taking action to prevent Hezbollah's military buildup and presence in south Lebanon, violations of the ceasefire agreement; Hezbollah intensified its criticism of the Lebanese government's handling of the situation, particularly regarding the continued presence of IDF forces in five locations in south Lebanon and ongoing Israeli strikes across the country. The editor of a Hezbollah-affiliated daily newspaper warned of the possible resumption of "military activity" against the "occupation"; The Lebanese prime minister conducted his first visit of south Lebanon. He said the Lebanese army was deployed in the area and working to maintain stability. Local residents confronted him and expressed support for the "resistance."; Hezbollah published pictures of its 37 highest-ranking operatives killed during the war, including secretary general Hassan Nasrallah and his designated successor, Hashem Safi al-Din. In the town of Aitaroun in south Lebanon a funeral was held for 95 local residents killed in the war, most of whom were Hezbollah operatives; A Lebanese citizen arriving in Beirut on a flight from Turkey was arrested carrying $2.5 million in cash, suspected of being brought for Hezbollah. He claimed an Iranian had given him a suitcase of money; Nawaf Salam's new government received a vote of confidence from members of parliament, including the Hezbollah faction. He said the government sought to make independent decisions on matters of war and peace; Lebanese President Aoun said the country sought to resolve all conflicts through diplomacy, including the issue of IDF forces remaining in south Lebanon. 
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Turkey as a Center for Hamas Activity

Turkey, under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, is one of Hamas' most important strategic allies. Turkey hosts senior Hamas figures, and provides political, diplomatic and propaganda support, as well as economic and humanitarian assistance, including during the Gaza war; Hamas has established one of its most important overseas centers in Turkey, primarily operated by prisoners released in the Gilad Shalit exchange deal of 2011. It uses Turkey to plan terrorist attacks and transfer funds to finance terrorist activities inside Israel, in Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip, and to raise and launder money in support of its terrorist operations, including the October 7, 2023, attack and massacre; Hamas documents seized by IDF forces in the Gaza Strip during the Gaza Strip War showed the relationship between Hamas and Turkey, including how Hamas used Turkey for terrorist activities against Israel; In ITIC assessment, given the Hamas operational infrastructure in Turkey, its deep involvement in terrorism and Turkey’s hostility toward Israel, Hamas will seek to strengthen and expand its ties with Turkey. The deportation of terrorists, particularly senior terrorists from Israel, to Turkey in particular, is likely to reinforce the Hamas operational base in Turkey and facilitate the rebuilding of its military wing and the return of released prisoners to terrorist activities. A Turkish aegis would strengthen the "external" Hamas leadership and increase Hamas terrorist activity outside Israel. Given Turkey’s location and its strained relations with Israel, Israeli security forces would face significant challenges in effectively countering Hamas infrastructure and activities in Turkey.
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