Iranian Commander: Israeli Pressure Backfired, Strengthened "Resistance"

A top Iranian military commander claims that Israel's actions in Gaza have had the opposite of their intended effect. Esmail Qaani, the leader of Iran's Quds Force, stated that Israeli military pressure and the killing of civilians have only made the "resistance front" stronger. The Quds Force is a special unit of Iran's Revolutionary Guards that handles overseas operations. "The resistance front is more united than ever," Qaani said in a public speech. He did not provide specific evidence for this claim. The term "resistance front" is used by Iran and its allies to describe a network of groups opposed to Israel and the United States. Qaani's comments highlight the escalating regional tensions since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. Iran supports several armed groups in the Middle East, including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.