From Revolution to Resistance: Palestine and Iran’s Shared Journey Since the 1979 Islamic Uprising
From Revolution to Resistance: Palestine and Iran’s Shared Journey Since the 1979 Islamic Uprising
Unveiling the Escalating Tensions Between Iraq, Iran, and Israel: A Gripping Tale of Missile Strikes, Nuclear Fears, and Regional Turmoil Threatening Global Stability
June 16, 2025, 09:32 AM IST – The relationship between Palestine and Iran has been a cornerstone of Middle Eastern geopolitics since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, marked by ideological alignment, military support, and shared resistance against Israel. However, recent events, including the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, have brought new layers of complexity to this alliance, with implications for Palestine, Iran, and the broader region.
Historical Ties: A Shared Struggle
Iran’s support for Palestine began in earnest after the 1979 revolution, which saw the fall of the Pahlavi dynasty—a regime that had maintained close ties with Israel. Under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Iran severed all relations with Israel, rejecting its legitimacy and adopting a firm pro-Palestinian stance. A symbolic gesture came when Iran handed over the Israeli embassy in Tehran to the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), turning it into a Palestinian embassy.
• Early Support: The PLO, led by Yasser Arafat, backed Iran’s revolution. In the 1980s, despite tensions during the Iran-Iraq War—where Arafat sided with Iraq—Iran maintained its pro-Palestinian rhetoric. Khomeini established Quds Day, the last Friday of Ramadan, as a global day to support Palestine and oppose Israel.
• Shift to Militant Groups: By the 1990s, Iran began supporting Palestinian militant groups like Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), both of which reject Israel’s existence and aim to establish an Islamic state in historic Palestine. Iran provided funding, weapons, and training, seeing these groups as key allies in its “Axis of Resistance” against Israel and Western influence.
Modern Dynamics: Support Amid Tensions
Iran’s relationship with Palestinian groups has evolved, marked by both cooperation and strain:
• Support for Hamas and PIJ: Iran has been a major backer of Hamas, providing $20–50 million annually from 1990 to 2000, with increased aid after 2008. Iran also supplied rockets used in the 2008-2009 Gaza War and helped Hamas develop local weapons production. PIJ, too, received millions from Iran during the Second Intifada (2000–2005), with bonuses for attacks against Israel.
• Strains Over Syria: Relations with Hamas frayed during the Syrian Civil War (2011 onwards). Hamas supported Sunni rebels against Bashar al-Assad, while Iran backed Assad’s regime. This led to a temporary halt in Iranian aid to Hamas in 2015, though ties later thawed. PIJ also faced reduced support in 2015 after refusing to denounce Saudi actions in Yemen, prompting Iran to briefly shift focus to a smaller group, al Sabirin.
Recent Developments: Palestine in the Iran-Israel Conflict
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, which escalated on June 13, 2025, with Israel’s “Operation Rising Lion,” has significant implications for Palestine:
• Iran’s Role in Gaza: Iran has consistently supported Hamas and PIJ in Gaza, where Israel’s blockade and military campaigns have caused immense suffering. On June 3, 2024, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei called the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel “necessary,” a statement criticized by Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas for seemingly prioritizing Iran’s agenda over Palestinian lives. The PA, based in the West Bank, has accused Iran of meddling, particularly by strengthening Hamas, its political rival.
• Palestinian Reactions to Iran-Israel Clashes: As Iran and Israel exchanged missile and drone attacks, some Palestinians initially celebrated Iran’s retaliation. However, this turned to frustration when the operation failed to significantly impact Israel, and many worried the conflict would divert global attention from Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. The PA remained silent, reflecting its view of Iran as a threat due to its support for Hamas and arms smuggling into the West Bank.
Ideological and Strategic Alignment
Iran’s support for Palestine is rooted in both ideology and strategy:
• Ideological Convergence: Iran frames its support as a defense of oppressed Muslims, aligning with its revolutionary principles. It rejects a two-state solution, with leaders like Khamenei and former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad advocating for a single Palestinian state determined by a referendum of all Palestinians, including those in Israel.
• Strategic Goals: By backing Palestinian groups, Iran counters Israel, expands its regional influence, and challenges Sunni Arab states like Saudi Arabia, which have normalized ties with Israel via the Abraham Accords. Iran’s support for the Axis of Resistance—including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis—also deters Israeli attacks on Iran itself.
Challenges and Criticism
Despite its support, Iran’s relationship with Palestine faces criticism:
• Palestinian Authority’s Distrust: The PA and its ruling Fatah party have accused Iran of sowing chaos by empowering Hamas, undermining Palestinian unity. On April 3, 2024, Fatah condemned Iran’s interference, claiming it benefits Israel by dividing Palestinians.
• Iranian Public Sentiment: Many Iranians have grown indifferent to the Palestinian cause, feeling their government exploits it for propaganda while ignoring domestic issues. Protests in 2009 saw slogans like “No to Lebanon, no to Palestine, my life only for Iran,” reflecting this shift.
• Regional Dynamics: Iran’s support for Palestine has isolated it internationally, leading to sanctions and economic hardship. Some Arab states view Iran’s role as destabilizing, especially after the Abraham Accords, which Iran condemned as a betrayal of Palestinians.
What’s Next for Palestine-Iran Relations?
As the Israel-Iran conflict continues, Palestine remains a central issue, but the path forward is uncertain:
• Potential Escalation: If Iran’s allies, like Hezbollah, escalate their involvement, Palestinian groups might be drawn further into the conflict, risking more destruction in Gaza and the West Bank.
• Diplomatic Shifts: Iran’s recent diplomatic gains, such as joining BRICS and restoring ties with Saudi Arabia in 2023, could bolster its ability to support Palestine economically and politically, potentially reconfiguring the discussion around Palestinian sovereignty.
• Palestinian Unity: The divide between Hamas and the PA, exacerbated by Iran’s support for the former, remains a hurdle. A unified Palestinian front could strengthen their position, but Iran’s role might continue to complicate this.
Conclusion
The Palestine-Iran relationship is a complex mix of ideological solidarity, strategic partnership, and regional power play. While Iran’s support has bolstered Palestinian resistance, it has also deepened internal divisions and drawn criticism for prioritizing its own interests. As the Middle East grapples with the fallout of the Israel-Iran conflict, the Palestinian cause remains at the heart of the struggle, with Iran’s role both empowering and complicating the fight for liberation.