The Axis of Evil - Iran (Written by the Israel Digital Center. Date of writing: 11/10/25)

A clear overview of Iran’s “Axis of Evil” — its structure, purpose, and the regional forces behind it.

What Is the “Axis of Evil”?

The “Axis of Evil” is an informal alliance of states and organizations united around a common goal – violent opposition to the United States and Israel.

Iran leads it and includes mainly Shiite groups such as Hezbollah and the Houthis in Yemen. But it doesn’t end there – Sunni organizations like Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad have also joined the struggle, despite their religious differences, due to shared anti-Western, anti-Israeli, and anti-democratic ideologies.

How Did It All Begin?

It all began in 1979, when the Islamic Revolution in Iran transformed it from a pro-Western monarchy into an extremist Islamic state.
Since the revolution, Iran has sought to become the dominant power in the Middle East and to spread the ideas of its revolution.
To achieve these ambitions, Iran realized it needed to operate beyond its borders and build a network of allies and proxy organizations that would act on its behalf.
For this purpose, it invests heavily in terrorism: funding, weapons, training, and even intelligence. all to support its partners within the Axis and advance its strategic goals.

Where Does the Term “Axis of Evil” Come From?

The term “Axis of Evil” was coined by U.S. President George W. Bush after the 9/11 attacks, referring to states that promote terrorism and develop weapons of mass destruction.
The name recalls the “Axis Powers” of World War II that aligned with Nazi Germany, and “the Evil Empire”,  the term used by U.S. President Ronald Reagan to describe the Soviet Union.
In recent years, the term has also been adopted by Western analysts to describe the alliance led by Iran, while in the Arab world it is referred to as the “Axis of Resistance.”

The Axis Strategy – the “Ring of Fire”

Iran does not stop at words. One of its main strategies is called the “Ring of Fire.”
It builds fronts in various countries surrounding Israel – such as Lebanon, Gaza, and Syria, aiming to weaken Israel from multiple directions.
The idea is that, at the right moment, all the organizations within the Axis will act together to attack Israel.
This strategy has allowed Iran to maintain continuous pressure on Israel, divert its focus, and simultaneously continue developing its nuclear program.

Dismantling the Axis – One Front at a Time

Over the past two years, since the beginning of the Iron Swords War, Israel has effectively dismantled the Iranian Axis.
Hamas, which launched the initial attack, is on the verge of collapse.
Hezbollah, which tried to join the campaign from the north, has suffered heavy losses and significant damage.
The Houthis in Yemen, who acted under the banner of “resistance for Gaza,” have sustained severe blows and are facing precise attacks by Israel and its allies.
The Assad regime in Syria has completely collapsed, and the pro-Iranian militias in Iraq are losing confidence and beginning to distance themselves from Tehran.
Iran, which for years led the so-called “Axis of Resistance,” now finds itself isolated and forced to face the consequences alone.

How Does It Affect Israel?

This Axis affects Israel in almost every dimension.
During the Iron Swords War, Iran sought to coordinate attacks on Israel from across the region, but the IDF managed to thwart most of the plans.
In addition, the threat posed by the Axis prompted Israel to strengthen its security ties with Sunni Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates. forming a regional defense alliance.
Even in April 2024, during the unprecedented direct Iranian missile attack, these partner states worked alongside Israel to intercept the threat: a clear sign of a new regional alignment against the Iranian Axis.

The 12-Day War – The First Direct Confrontation Between Israel and Iran

In April 2025, the 12-Day War broke out — the first and largest confrontation ever recorded between Israel and Iran.
After years of indirect clashes through proxy organizations, Israel launched a large-scale campaign aimed at striking the core of Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
The operation included hundreds of precision airstrikes, cyberattacks, and covert missions deep inside Iran. In its later stages, the United States joined the campaign and attacked sensitive nuclear facilities.
Within less than two weeks, the “Axis of Resistance” strategy that had been built over decades collapsed: nuclear facilities were disabled, Revolutionary Guard bases were hit, and Iran’s network of regional proxies was severely weakened.
Iran lost a substantial portion of its missile arsenal, and its deterrence capability was eroded.
The campaign was conducted in a focused and limited manner, aiming to deter rather than escalate.
By its end, Israel had reaffirmed its military superiority and made it clear that an Iranian nuclear threat would not be tolerated, while the world faced a weakened and increasingly isolated Iran.

The Iranian Axis still exists, but after the 12-Day War, the regional balance has clearly shifted.
Iran has lost much of its grip and intimidation power, while Israel has proven that even against a coordinated regional threat, determination and precise strength can change the rules of the game.