(http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/121011-hezbollah-aircraft-hmed1115a.photoblog600.jpg)Reuters TVA still image taken from Israeli Defence Forces video footage shows what they say is a small unidentified aircraft shot down in a mid-air interception after it crossed into southern Israel Oct. 6, 2012.By ReutersWASHINGTON - From a suspected Israeli airstrike in Sudan to cyber warfare in the Gulf and a drone shot down over Israel, the largely hidden war between Iran and its foes seems heating up and spreading.
Despite months of speculation, most experts and governments believe the risk of a direct Israeli strike on Tehran's nuclear program stirring regional conflict has eased, at least for now. But all sides, it seems, are finding other ways to fight.
For the U.S. and European powers, the main focus remains on oil export sanctions that are inflicting ever more damage on Iran's economy.
But the Obama administration and Israel have also ploughed resources into covert operations - a campaign that now appears to have prompted an increasingly sophisticated Iranian reaction.
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