Iran’s Quds Force, a component of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, maintains a network of allied armed groups across the Middle East that analysts often describe as a force-multiplication architecture. While Tehran refers to these alliances as the "Axis of Resistance," the extent of Iran’s direct operational control over these non-state actors varies by group and context.

Characterizations of this network as the "most sophisticated state-sponsored terrorist network" reflect specific security assessments rather than universally established facts.

The Quds Force is a branch of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that manages foreign operations. It is reported to coordinate with and support regional groups, though specific details regarding the extent of its direct command over these forces may vary depending on the source.

According to three Israeli officials, Israel has placed its forces on high alert and is developing operational plans for a potential escalation of the US-Iran conflict. These reports remain unverified by independent sources.

Operation Epic Fury reached its fourteenth day on 13 March 2026, coinciding with Brent crude prices surpassing $100 per barrel for the second time since the conflict began. Reports attribute this surge to recent public statements by Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, although the specific causal link between the remarks and market volatility remains unverified.