One by one, Iran's allies fall silent in the face of Israel's new war

Israel continues its aerial campaign against Iran, claiming to have taken out key military and nuclear sites and assassinated senior commanders and scientists.

After years of rising tensions and open Israeli opposition to Iran’s nuclear programme, many observers say this war, which began on Friday, seemed only a matter of time.

The G7 has rallied behind Israel, calling Iran a primary source of regional instability. Analysts say the weakening of Iran-backed proxies in recent years has cleared the way for direct confrontation.

So far, Tehran's allies have largely stayed silent. Here is how each one has responded.

Hezbollah disabled

In less than two years, Israel has dismantled the so-called "Axis of Resistance", a regional network of Iran-backed groups including Hezbollah, Iraqi armed groups, the Houthis, and Syria's former regime. It took decades and billions in Iranian support to build.

Israel's two-month war on Lebanon last year severely damaged Hezbollah's infrastructure, wiping out much of its arsenal and communications and crippling its command structure. What was once Iran’s most powerful asset has been left reeling.

The Lebanese government has warned Hezbollah against joining the Israel-Iran conflict, as Lebanon continues to recover from the devastation of the 2024 war. Still, there are fears Hezbollah may step in to support its chief backer, despite the risks.

Syria regime change

In Syria, the regime of Bashar al-Assad collapsed less than two weeks after the Israel-Hezbollah war ended. Assad’s government had long served Iran as a key regional partner, offering access to the Mediterranean and acting as a supply corridor to Hezbollah.

The new government in Damascus remains on poor terms with Tehran, severing another critical Iranian link in the region.

Houthis still striking

Outside of the Levant, Israel has pummelled Yemen's Houthi rebels with airstrikes and pounded critical infrastructure in the impoverished country, including ports and Sanaa's airport.

The Houthis remain the only Iran-backed group still firing missiles at Israel as part of a campaign that began with the Gaza war in solidarity with Palestinians.

Iraq neutrality

Neighbouring Iran to the west, Tehran-backed Shia armed groups in Iraq, namely Kataeb Hezbollah, have warned they could get involved if the US intervenes alongside Israel.

Baghdad has reportedly asked Tehran not to use Iraqi territory for any attacks that could jeopardise the Arab nation’s stability, as it too reels from decades of conflict.

No Russian obligation

Seen as Iran's top global ally, Russia has offered to mediate a deal between Iran and Israel and is unlikely to intervene militarily as its war in Ukraine grinds on.

Moscow has said that Tehran has the right to peaceful nuclear power. However, in a bid to end the conflict, it has also proposed to store Iranian uranium in Russia.

Russia and Iran have bolstered defence and security ties in recent years, and Iran is believed to have provided Russia with drones for its war in Ukraine.

But a major treaty signed between Moscow and Tehran early this year does not include a military alliance or place any obligations on either side in the event of a war.

China pushes for diplomacy

Beijing’s stance has so far remained limited to supporting a diplomatic solution. Its top diplomat had said that diplomatic means to resolve the issue of Iran’s nuclear programme "have not yet been exhausted."

China’s fears lie in economic interests - an expanding conflict and possibly Iran acting on its threat to close the Strait of Hormuz, where a third of the world’s oil exports come from, could have huge impacts on the Chinese economy, the world’s second largest.

Chinese military support for Iran is ruled out.

Pakistan's moral solidarity

Islamabad strongly condemned Israel's attacks on Iran, saying it stood with the government and people of Iran.

Some reports have said that Pakistan may support Tehran if the war with Israel escalates, but Pakistani officials have reiterated that their country is only showing "moral and diplomatic solidarity."

Pakistan, which shares a 900 km border with Iran, shut the crossing on Monday, despite recently warming ties, likely to prevent a potential influx of Iranian refugees.

Trump's warning

Washington could get involved in the war alongside its ally Israel, US President Donald Trump has warned.

Trump has denied that US forces took part in the widespread attack on Iran but hasn’t completely ruled out striking the country.

He has warned Iran of attacking US interests or harming American nationals in the region.

He also urged diplomacy, warning Tehran to sign a nuclear deal "before it’s too late", and telling residents to "immediately evacuate" the city.

Israel is asking the US to join in the conflict and help it dismantle Iran’s nuclear programme. Tel Aviv would need Washington’s help in destroying Iran’s Fordow uranium enrichment facility, buried deep into a mountain.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Monday that he has directed "the deployment of additional capabilities" to the Middle East amid escalating regional tensions.

G7 slams Iran

While leaders of the G7 nations urged broader de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, they renewed their support for Israel’s security and its "right to defend itself".

The US, Canadian, French, British, Italian, German and Japanese leaders said in a statement late on Monday that Iran "is the principal source of regional instability and terror."

It made it "clear that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon".