Iran's allies in the Middle East and around the world

Tehran left high and dry by regional proxies and authoritarian global allies

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Iran's principal strategy under Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been to use the likes of Hezbollah as its first line of defence
(Image credit: Morteza Nikoubazl / NurPhoto via Getty Images)

A defiant Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Iran had "delivered a slap to America's face" and claimed "victory" over Israel in his first public remarks about the bombing campaign against his country.

But as he looks to rebuild his shattered authority at home, he might also be asking why Iran's powerful international allies and regional proxies failed to come to its aid.

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