The strongest version of this narrative presents a region on the brink of wider conflict, with Iran and its allies responding to perceived aggression from the U.S. and Israel. The escalation is framed as a defensive reaction to attacks on Iranian infrastructure and economic centers, with Iran warning of severe consequences if provoked further. The involvement of multiple actors—Houthi rebels, Hezbollah, and regional powers—paints a picture of a coordinated resistance against Western and Israeli ...