Explainer-Iran and its proxies and widening violence in the Middle East
Iran launched missile strikes on three different countries this week - Iraq, Syria and Pakistan - while proxy militant groups it backs continue to target U.S. and Western interests and fight Israel, stoking fears of conflict that could engulf the Middle East and spread to other regions. WHY DID IRAN CONDUCT STRIKES ON PAKISTAN, IRAQ AND SYRIA? Iran's strikes on Iraq, Syria and Pakistan were all in response to attacks carried out on its soil or against Iranian targets.