Mohsen Tanabandeh, a prominent Iranian actor and director, mourned his nephew

The strategic competition extends beyond military and proxy actions into a broader struggle for regional influence. Both Iran and Israel seek to shape the future of the Middle East, with their conflicting visions clashing in various arenas, from Yemen to Iraq. Iran's ambition to establish a contiguous "Shiite crescent" of influence from Tehran to Beirut directly challenges Israeli security interests and regional stability.