[UPDATE-Aug 22, 2026-Israel-Iran War] Gaza-Hamas, Lebanon-Hezbollah, Syria: Real Time Reaction and Analysis

‘Hezbollah a bargaining chip,’ the Islamic Republic says The Islamic Republic spent recent negotiations treating Hezbollah as a bargaining chip, insisting that any ceasefire arrangement had to extend to Lebanon too. That was useful when the regime believed Hezbollah gave it leverage. Now the IDF is striking Hezbollah in Lebanon and the IRGC is noticeably quiet. It says a lot about how the regime views its proxies. They’re valuable when they strengthen its negotiating position and expendable when protecting them becomes too costly. The Islamic Republic spent recent negotiations treating Hezbollah as a bargaining chip, insisting that any ceasefire arrangement…