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Source: https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/22128/cut-off-iran-foreign-support
Cut Off Iran's Foreign Support
(Gatestone Institute) Dr. Majid Rafizadeh - Iran is stealthily rebuilding its war machine. One of the most effective ways to slow Iran's remilitarization is to target the countries that allow it to operate freely, fund its proxies, and expand its influence. Iran's regime survives largely because it has external support that enables it to move money, find recruits, transfer weapons, and, after every round of sanctions, rebuild its war machine. If these countries that are allied with Tehran were to face real consequences for enabling Iran's ability to rearm and reassert itself, the threat it could pose would dramatically shrink. Recent discoveries of Hamas activity in Turkey exposed that the group has been using Turkish territory as a logistical and financial hub, benefiting from Iran's sponsorship and direction. This case is part of a larger pattern: Iran identifies countries where the rule of law is weak, political cover is available, and financial systems can be exploited, then builds layers of infrastructure there. These countries do not face consequences from the international community. Iran uses Iraq not just as a military platform but as a financial artery, moving funds through banks, exchanging currencies, and availing itself of corrupt networks to bypass sanctions. In Lebanon, Hizbullah essentially functions as a branch of Iran while controlling ports, security agencies, border crossings and a large part of the country's political system, turning the country into its most important forward base - right on the border of Israel. Outside the Middle East, China has been keeping Iran's regime afloat by purchasing large amounts of Iranian oil, giving Tehran the hard currency it needs to fund Hizbullah, Hamas, the Houthis and other regional militias. With a world power delighted to buy its oil unconditionally, sanctions lose their strength. Turkey, Qatar, Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen, and China are providing Tehran with safe geography, cash, energy markets, financial loopholes, proxy shelters, and diplomatic cover. The solution is that the EU needs to join the U.S. in applying direct, coordinated, and consistent political and economic pressure, not just on Iran but on the governments, companies and institutions that help Iran circumvent restrictions. The pressure needs to be heavy enough that governments are forced to reconsider whether the relationship with Iran is worth the enormous economic risks. Only when the external lifelines of Iran's regime are cut will it finally feel the full weight of international pressure.