"Rising Tensions in West Asia: Are Regional Assassinations and Violence Pushing Towards War?"

Recent assassinations by Israel of key figures linked to Iran and Hezbollah, including Sayyed Razi Mousavi and Saleh al-Arouri, have raised tensions in the Middle East. While Iran and Hezbollah have vowed retaliation, their responses have been limited, likely due to the potential risks of a full-scale war with Israel and internal economic and political pressures. Israel's ongoing military actions in Gaza and targeted killings suggest a strategy of preemptive and expansive engagement. Meanwhile, Iran and its allies may continue to engage in indirect warfare, such as supporting the Houthi insurgency in Yemen and attacking US interests in the region, to avoid direct confrontation. The situation remains volatile, with the potential for escalation into a wider conflict if provocations continue.