Iran may be striking out at nations around it – but it will be wary of wider war in the Middle East

Tehran may see Western condemnation of Iranian airstrikes on Pakistan, Iraq and Syria as a bonus given that its actions are likely for the benefit of a domestic audience, writes Kim Sengupta. But it still raises the risk of a miscalculation at a time of high tension owing to the conflict in Gaza

Iranian missiles – seen here during a training drill – have hit Pakistan, Iraq and Syria in recent days (West Asia News Agency via Reuters)

Direct military actions by Iran outside its border are rare, despite often aggressive rhetoric to the contrary: this is because Tehran has built up a chain of proxy militias across the Middle East that can fight on its behalf when necessary.

Thus the series of strikes carried out by Iran on three of its neighbouring countries – Iraq, Syria and Pakistan – in the last few days is a highly unusual development, and has led to heightened concern about a bloody conflict spiralling across the region and beyond.

Two of the attacks, in Syria and Pakistan, were aimed, according to Tehran, at Sunni extremist groups that had carried out atrocities in Iran.