TEHRAN — As 2024 draws to a close, Iran finds itself at a crossroads. The year has brought an array of challenges that have put its regional influence and its domestic resilience to the test, leaving it with uncertainties ahead.

The Israeli wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Yemen, where Iran has been nurturing proxies for decades, underscored the Islamic Republic's diminishing power beyond its borders. Israel killed prominent leaders of pro-Iran groups — most notably Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah and his heir apparent, Hashem Safieddine, as well as Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh and his successor, Yahya Sinwar — in assassinations that dealt both symbolic and operational blows to Iran's regional networks.

Even as Tehran engaged in hectic diplomatic campaigns to thwart direct confrontation with Israel, the ripple effects ultimately proved unavoidable. Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones against Israel in two different operations, in what it said was a response to the killing of its own forces in Damascus and the proxy leaders.

The missile salvos were retaliated by Israel. Though limited in scope, the Israeli attacks inflicted significant damage on Iran's defense power and missile-manufacturing capabilities. Iran believes the exchange is not yet even, and a third operation is in the works.