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Iran Proxies Raise Risk of Conflict
(Wall Street Journal) Sune Engel Rasmussen and Isabel Coles - As the U.S. pressures Iran to cut support for its armed proxies, some of those same militias are lashing out at Tehran's adversaries, risking an escalation. From the Persian Gulf to Baghdad's Green Zone and Saudi oil facilities, Iran's rivals have been targeted in attacks in the past two weeks, while Iran has denied involvement. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Iraqi officials in Baghdad this month that the U.S. would strike inside Iran to retaliate for any attack on its installations or personnel in Iraq. "Iran will use its proxies for escalation, but a very gradual and measured one," said Fabian Hinz, an independent Middle East security analyst. "Iran is doing what it has been doing for years, but slightly upping the ante to gain leverage."