What are the objectives of Iran?

 First, it wishes to stop the peace process as it needs an enemy to maintain domestic unity.

Secondly, there is less a risk of attack by the United States over its weapons of mass destruction if the region is in a state of chaos. With the insurgency in Iraq, Afghanistan and now fighting in Gaza and Lebanon there is less of a risk of invasion.

Thirdly, Iran covets regional power and leadership. In a power vacuum it now becomes the regional leader and expands its system in the region.

Fourth, it gains influence and respect.

Fifth it bleeds Israel and this gains respect among the moslem masses who move closer to its ideology and become converts.

Sixth, as Israel expands its offensive and innocent civilians are killed and injured the media war is won in the Arab countries first and then in the moslem world. With one billion moslems angered thousands become radicalized. Many of them will be recruited to radical groups and join "jihad" against American and Jewish interests around the world. "Volunteers" will also go to Lebanon to join the fight. This creates an opportunity for militants to engage the enemy and to bleed Israel. With a small population Israel cannot sustain a prolonged war of attrition. This was the strategy adopted by Ulysis Grant in the American civil war against general Lee and the south.

Iran has provided military and financial aid to Hezbollah. Iran is also directing the military strategy. Israel accused Iran of providing missiles including a C-802 guided missile that struck an Israeli warship and the long range missiles that struck Haifa and other northern communities deep in Israel.

Hezbollah cannot win militarily. This does not matter as no one expects Hezbollah to win. It is enought that Hezbollah not be destroyed and that it survive to rebuild and fight another day. With "volunteers" coming to fight Israel Hezbollah will be able to survive.

Iran sets the rules of engagement and diverts resources and attention away from its nuclear program and dictatorship. It fights a war by proxy to acheive regional political goals. At the same time it sets the agenda and keeps Israel on the defensive while challenging a new untested government that must show it is tough to maintain domestic support, thus forcing the Israelis to overreact.

This excess use of indiscriminate military force undermines the peace process and kidnapes the democratic process in Israel. Iran does not want peace in the middle east as conflict with Israel serves its political objectives.