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By Ioanna Theou
According to the Institute for National Security Studies report, the concept of the ‘’Shiitte Axis’’ still exists, but its form has changed over time. The term ‘’Shiitte Axis’’ refers to a network of states (mainly from Middle East territory) linked to Iran. Specifically the ‘’Shiitte Axis’’ started from Iran, then continued to Iraq -Shiite militias in Iraq after the US war in Iraq, continued to Syria -through the Assad regime- and ended in Lebanon, though the existence of Hezbollah. Hamas in Palestine and the Houthis in Yemen are also included in the ‘’Shiite Axis’’. But what do these actors have in common? These actors are commonly united due to their opposition to Israel, the U.S., and their allies.
Iran was the strongest actor between its allies and therefore its role was central. With the overthrow of the Assad regime, the Israel-Hamas war, the Hezbollah-Israel war, the tensions between Houthis- United States and Israel, the Shiitte Axis have lost their cohesion and coordination of the network. A recent example could be the overthrow of the Assad regime. The Iranians could not support at the same time both the Assad regime, Hezbollah, and the Houthis.
Despite this, connections remain through funding, arms supply, and shared ideology.
The Shitte Axis still exists in general sense, but it should be understood more as a loosely connected network of semi-independent actors, rather than a rigid, Iran-controlled alliance.
Another important factor for the existence of Shiite axis is the aid from Russia and China. Iran has been supported for a long time by Russia and China. In an interview with broadcaster MS NOW on Saturday March 15th, Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi called Russia and China strategic partners during its war with the U.S. and Israel. Araghchi added that ‘’We had close cooperation in the past, which still continues, and that includes military cooperation as well’’. According to the Iranian foreign minister, Iran has had ‘’good cooperation with these countries: politically, economically, even militarily’’.
But Iran also helped Russia in the Russia-Ukraine war. Iran has equipped Russia with its Shahed drones, and Moscow uses this kind of drones in the war with Ukraine. Russia and Iran also had something else in common. Both countries supported the regime of Bashar al Assad in Syria. The United States of America and Israel underestimate the power of Iran.
The collapse of the Assad regime disrupted the continuity of the ‘’Shiitte Axis’’, and therefore undermined its cohesion and effectiveness. This development does not mean the end of the Shiitte Axis. Iran continues to have a central role in this network, maintaining its capacity to provide resources, strategic coordination, and ideological direction to its allies.
A clear example of this can be seen in the conflict between Iran, Israel and the United States. While Israel has sustained pressure on multiple fronts -targetting Hamas in Gaza, and Hezbollah in Lebanon’, Iran has the courage to respond to Israel and the United States of America. For example, Iran methodically closed the Strait of Hormuz, a key point of global energy trade. Of course, the disruption of the Strait of Hormuz targets and affects mainly the United States of America, Israel and their allies.
Resources
Raz Zimmt, The Need to Reexamine the Concept of the ‘’Shiite Axis’’, INSS Insight No. 1988, May 27, 2025. https://www.inss.org.il/publication/shiite-axis/
Carlo Martuscelli, ‘’Iran says Russia and China providing ‘military cooperation’’, Politico, March 15, 2026.
https://www.politico.eu/article/iran-abbas-araghchi-says-russia-and-china-providing-military-cooperation/
Ahmed Essa Al- Sulaiti, ‘’ Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz is an international crisis’’, al Jazeera, March 25, 2026.
https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2026/3/25/irans-closure-of-the-strait-of-hormuz-is-an-international-crisis