Who's Backing Iran in the War? | FT #shorts

Financial Times (FT)
Financial Times (FT)Mar 30, 2026

Why It Matters

The alignment of regional militias with Russian intelligence and Chinese oil purchases amplifies Iran’s capacity to wage an asymmetric war, raising geopolitical and energy‑security risks for the United States and its allies.

Key Takeaways

  • Iran’s “axis of resistance” includes Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen proxies
  • Iraqi Shia militias blamed for US embassy attack in Baghdad
  • Houthis’ missile strikes threaten Red Sea shipping lanes
  • Russia supplies intelligence and Shahed drones to Iran
  • China remains major buyer of Iranian oil, funding war effort

Summary

The video outlines the network of state and non‑state actors supporting Iran’s confrontation with the United States and Israel, focusing on the so‑called “axis of resistance” that stretches across Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen.

Iranian‑backed Shia militias in Iraq are accused of the recent attack on the U.S. embassy compound in Baghdad, while Lebanon’s Hezbollah has exchanged fire with Israel, prompting a lethal Israeli response. In Yemen, the Houthi movement has launched missiles and drones at Israeli targets, raising the risk of disruptions to Red Sea shipping and compounding existing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.

Outside the region, Russian officials are reportedly sharing U.S. military location data and supplying Shahed drones, medicines and food to Tehran, a claim corroborated by Western intelligence. Meanwhile, China has stayed officially neutral but continues to purchase large volumes of Iranian oil, providing a vital revenue stream for Iran’s war economy.

The convergence of regional proxies and great‑power backing heightens the cost of a U.S. response, forces Israel to fight on multiple fronts, and threatens global energy routes, making the conflict a strategic concern for policymakers worldwide.

Original Description

Who’s backing Iran in the war with the US and Israel? From the growing influence of Vladimir Putin to the role of Tehran's so-called ‘Axis of Resistance,’ here’s what you need to know.⁠
#shortfeed #shortsvideo #shortsviral #shortsyoutube #iran #iranwar #russia #china #houthis #yemen
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