The Middle East has long been a region fraught with complex political entanglements and ongoing conflicts. Amidst this turbulent landscape, Iran’s involvement with Hamas and its role in the Israel war stands out as a key piece in the geopolitical chessboard. This article delves into the multifaceted dynamics that link Iran to Hamas and its impact on the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.
Iran’s Main Goal: Disrupting Arab-Israeli Rapprochement
Over the past decade, the Arab world and Israel have been slowly but surely moving towards a thaw in their relations. This rapprochement has raised alarms in Tehran, as it threatens Iran’s influence in the region.
Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, has been a staunch opponent of any warming relations between Arab states and Israel. His main goal has been to disrupt this operation, pushing the Arab world away from what Iran perceives as ‘light’ and back into the ‘darkness’ of animosity with Israel.
Who Gave the Green Light to Hamas?
One of the pivotal questions surrounding this conflict is who gave the green light to Hamas to initiate attacks on Israel.
The answer, as revealed through an examination of Iran’s power structure, leads us to Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader. Khamenei’s tweets and public statements serve as a window into Iran’s intentions and actions. On October 3, Khamenei issued a series of tweets that hinted at Iran’s involvement in Hamas’s attacks.
Subsequently, these attacks began and then temporarily halted, only to resume on October 7. Khamenei’s statements strongly suggest his role in authorizing and encouraging these hostilities, further cementing Iran’s involvement in the conflict.
The Asia to Europe Road and Iran’s Interests
Iran’s involvement in escalating the Israel-Palestine conflict may have been driven, in part, by the intention to disrupt the growing cooperation between Arab nations and Israel.
The strategic road connecting Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, which passes through India, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel, was of significant interest to Iran and its allies. By intensifying the conflict, Iran may have aimed to undermine the emerging agreements and partnerships between Arab nations and Israel.
This approach served to disrupt and potentially cancel the agreements that were being forged, thereby preserving Iran’s influence over regional transportation routes.
The U.S. Aim and Iran’s Response
The United States was actively preparing to confront and target Iranian militias along the Iraqi-Syrian border. In response to these impending actions, Iran strategically shifted its focus towards its long-standing adversary, Israel.
This shift in focus allowed Iran not only to retaliate against the U.S. but also to circumvent direct confrontations on its borders and mitigate the potential risk of further damage to its militias. Iran’s approach involved maneuvering between the Iraq and Syria borders, providing support to its militias while diverting attention from its ongoing activities in the region.
The Israel-Hamas conflict effectively served as a diversion, enabling Iran to continue advancing its interests in Iraq and Syria without direct interference from the U.S.
In Conclusion
Iran’s connection to Hamas and its role in the Israel war represents a highly intricate and multifaceted aspect of the Middle East’s ongoing geopolitical turmoil. Ali Khamenei’s influence and the dynamics surrounding Iran’s interests in regional transportation routes and militia support underscore the complexity of Iran’s involvement.
This situation serves as a reminder that the Middle East remains a volatile arena where various geopolitical actors maneuver to protect their interests and exert influence on regional events.
