The killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has caused a significant upheaval in the Middle East, with the 'axis of resistance' in Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq facing a choice between revenge and local survival. While Tehran has threatened to 'burn everything' in response to the attacks, proxies in Lebanon and Iraq have shown hesitation due to local threats. Hassan Ahmadian, a professor at the University of Tehran, warned that the Iranian government is now prepared to “burn everything” in response. Hezbollah's response was cautious, but did not explicitly threaten to attack Israel or launch revenge operations. In Yemen, the Houthis face a more volatile situation, with Defence Minister Taher al-Aqili suggesting a ground offensive to retake Houthi territory.