Written by Dr. Muhammad Kazim Saleem

In the past year, Israel has conducted numerous military operations in Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq and Iran, leading to the martyrdom of thousands, including many women and children, as well as high-ranking officials. The latest operation, just a few days ago, targeted Hezbollah’s Secretary-General, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, in Beirut, Lebanon. In recent weeks, many high-ranking Hezbollah military leaders had also been targeted. On 31st July 2024, Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh was martyred along with his personal guard in Tehran while attending the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian. Following Haniyeh’s martyrdom, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei vowed to avenge the brutal killing at an appropriate time. However, the assassination of Hassan Nasrallah compelled Iran to act prematurely against Israel.

Attacking Israel is no easy task, as an assault on Israel is considered an assault on the entire world. The US, Europe and even many Muslim and Arab countries view Israel’s security as their top priority. This became evident on April 13th, 2024, when Iran attacked Israel, prompting the US, Europe and most Arab nations to rally in defense of Israel. Arab countries, despite their immense wealth, military strength, and arsenal, find even speaking against Israel a grave offence. In this context, Iran’s confrontation with Israel and the US may appear irrational and sheer madness, especially since Iran is already burdened by US and UN-imposed economic sanctions. But it’s important to understand that Iran is a principled, ideological state, unwilling to abandon its core beliefs. Chief among these principles is resisting oppression and upholding the “Qaida Nafi al-Sabeel” (the principle of not allowing non-Muslims to have dominance over Muslims), a foundation upon which the Islamic Republic of Iran stands.

This is why Iran consistently supports oppressed Muslims globally, whether it’s supporting Hamas and Hezbollah today or fighting for the Bosnian Muslims in the past. Iran’s unwavering support for Kashmir’s oppressed Muslims, despite economic repercussions, is widely acknowledged by Kashmiri leaders. It is noteworthy that while India was Iran’s largest oil purchaser, Iran chose to stand with Kashmir’s Muslims, even when Arab nations sided with Modi. Furthermore, Palestine and Al-Quds hold a special place in Iran’s foreign policy, with the Palestinian issue forming a red line for Iran. Despite being a Shia-majority country, Iran is the only state that remains firmly aligned with the Palestinians. The broader Islamic world had, in essence, abandoned the Palestinian cause with the Camp David (1978) and Oslo (1993) accords. These agreements, imposed on the Palestinians, were rejected by groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad, while the late Yasser Arafat and later Mahmoud Abbas accepted them, acknowledging the Israeli state in exchange for the powerless Palestinian Authority.

The Palestinian Authority lacks a military, currency, or administrative autonomy, with all matters governed by Israeli laws. To grasp the extent of its subjugation, one need only note that its leader must seek Israeli police permission a week in advance to travel from Ramallah to another city. Supported by the US, Israel, Europe, and most Arab nations, the Palestinian Authority contrasts sharply with Hamas, which enjoys backing only from Iran, Syria, and a few non-state actors like Hezbollah in Lebanon, Ansar Allah in Yemen, and jihadist groups in Iraq. Despite Muslim indifference and Israeli brutality, the Palestinians have never given up resistance. They have fought the world’s mightiest military with stones and slingshots. Over the last two decades, Iran has played a crucial role in arming the Palestinians, transitioning them from slingshots to missiles and drones — a feat attributed to the late Quds Force Commander General Qassem Soleimani.

Despite immense sacrifices, Iran knows its support for Palestine is the root of many of its problems. If Iran, like the Arab nations, renounced the Palestinian cause and submitted to Israel, the conflict with Israel and the US would cease, and Iran would become an acceptable global partner. Rich in natural resources, particularly gas and oil, Iran ranks second globally in natural gas reserves and third in crude oil reserves. Should Iran abandon Palestine, it could freely trade internationally, transforming into a wealthier nation within a few years. Offers have already been made to Iran for such a compromise. However, Iran, in pursuit of its principles, has chosen the harder path. It remains committed to resisting oppression and refuses to relinquish its support for the oppressed, even at the cost of economic prosperity.

Iran’s impressive achievements in science, technology, and defense, despite sanctions, are a testament to its resilience. In various fields like nanotechnology, biotechnology, aerospace engineering and nuclear technology, Iran has reached global rankings and become a leader among Islamic nations. The country’s accomplishments demonstrate its capabilities, even while facing international isolation and economic hardship.

Ultimately, Iran’s steadfast adherence to its founding principles has led it to bear significant costs. The Islamic Republic’s approach to confronting external oppression stems from the teachings of its founder, Imam Khomeini, who emphasized the moral obligation to stand against injustice and support the oppressed. While the Islamic world remains gripped by fear of Western dominance, Iran’s defiance of this fear represents a continuation of Imam Khomeini’s legacy.

Israel and the US have sought to counter Iran’s influence by exploiting sectarian divisions within the Muslim world. However, despite these challenges, Iran remains successful in demonstrating that Israel and the US can be challenged. Through Hezbollah, Hamas and other allied organizations, Iran has proven that it is possible to resist the so-called invincible forces. In the process, Iran has shown that the Islamic world can rise above sectarian and geopolitical divisions to confront shared enemies.