Experts assess the roles that various actors may seek to play during and after conflict, including Hezbollah, the Houthis, Iraqi militias, Palestinian factions, and international powers such as China, Russia, and the EU. News World news Iran Middle East war : Key players in Israel - Iran conflict - and why they all think they're the good guys The fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel is hanging in the balance. While some high-profile leaders like Hamas politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh and top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr have already been killed, there are other key players and actors who have stepped in as a regional war looms large. This violence marks a dramatic departure from the long-simmering Iran - Israel shadow war . Why is it happening now? Heather Williams Israel is trying to take advantage of its successes against Hezbollah and Hamas and the fall of Assad in Syria to deal a serious blow to Iran . More than simply setting back Iran 's nuclear program, Israel appears committed to punitive damage that causes permanent. With missiles from both countries regularly traversing Syrian airspace near Damascus, Syria’s silence has prompted speculation over its political and military calculus. On June 13, 2025, Israel launched a significant military operation known as “Rising Lion,” targeting Iran ’s nuclear infrastructure and military capabilities. Among the casualties of this high-stakes confrontation are at least 14 Iranian nuclear scientists, including prominent figures such as Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani.
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