By: Josef Namin
For decades, Iran has been a vocal critic of Israel’s actions in Palestine, particularly denouncing the Israeli occupation, military strikes, and the killing of Palestinians. Iran frequently positions itself as a defender of the Palestinian cause and seeks to align with other Muslim-majority countries that stand in solidarity with Palestine. However, a deeper examination reveals that Iran’s ongoing condemnation of Israel serves another purpose: it seeks to divert attention from its own controversial actions in the region.
One of the most significant contradictions in Iran’s rhetoric lies in its support of Armenia during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, in which Armenia occupied large parts of Azerbaijan’s internationally recognized territory. Iran’s backing of Armenian actions, which are often described as an occupation and even genocide against Azerbaijanis, starkly contrasts with its stance on the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands. Iran’s support of Armenia highlights a strategic inconsistency that undermines its claims of championing justice for oppressed Muslims, particularly when Azerbaijan, a predominantly Muslim country, suffered from the Armenian occupation for years.
Moreover, Iran has played an active role in the Syrian Civil War, where, along with Russia, it supported the Assad regime in its brutal repression of Syrian civilians. Iran’s involvement has contributed to the deaths of over half a million people, most of whom were innocent civilians. The Quds Force, an elite branch of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), has been instrumental in bolstering Assad’s regime and prolonging the conflict. This level of involvement in a war that devastated the Syrian population — many of them Muslim — stands in stark contrast to Iran’s public image as a defender of oppressed Muslims elsewhere.
Iran’s regional actions extend beyond Syria. The country has been deeply involved in arming and funding various militant groups and organizations, such as the Houthis in Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Hamas. These groups have been linked to acts of terrorism and destabilization in the region, contributing to further unrest and violence. Iran’s ongoing support of these organizations has sparked criticism from international bodies and neighboring countries. Despite these activities, Iran continues to position itself as a champion of the Palestinian cause, using it as a platform to unite with other Muslim countries that oppose Israeli policies.
Iran’s military involvement through the Quds Force has earned it the label of a terrorist organization by several governments, including the United States. The Quds Force operates across the Middle East, supporting militias and militant organizations, often exacerbating conflicts rather than resolving them. Iran’s continued backing of these groups, despite their controversial actions, further exposes the disconnect between its proclaimed humanitarian stance on Palestine and its destructive involvement elsewhere in the region.
Iran’s Role in the Ukraine Conflict
More recently, Iran’s involvement in global conflicts has extended to its support of Russia in the invasion of Ukraine. Iran has provided drones, missiles, and ballistic missiles to Russia, which have been used to target innocent civilians, and destroy critical Ukrainian infrastructure, further destabilizing the region. Despite overwhelming evidence of Iran’s material support for Russia’s military operations, Iran’s president has publicly denied the country’s role, even as Iranian-made drones are implicated in bombings that have devastated Ukrainian cities. This blatant denial and deception further illustrates how Iran manipulates its narrative on the global stage, attempting to maintain its position as a defender of oppressed peoples while simultaneously contributing to destruction and suffering elsewhere.
Ultimately, Iran’s strategy of consistently condemning Israel serves as a distraction from its own regional actions and violations. By presenting itself as an unwavering supporter of Palestinian rights, Iran seeks to align with other Muslim-majority nations that share similar views on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. However, unlike many of these countries, Iran’s actions in places like Syria, Yemen, Azerbaijan, and now Ukraine reveal a different reality — one in which Iran perpetuates violence, supports occupation, and backs organizations with records of human rights abuses. In doing so, Iran tries to obscure its own role in regional instability, all while positioning itself as an ally to the Palestinian cause.
This tactic of deflection allows Iran to project a narrative that resonates with Muslim-majority countries, but it raises serious questions about Iran’s true motives and the extent to which its rhetoric about justice and oppression is genuinely aligned with its actions. While Iran continues to denounce Israel’s actions, it must confront its own contradictions and recognize that supporting justice for one group does not absolve it from accountability for its own actions across the Middle East and beyond.
The Role of Iran’s Leadership in Denial
Dr. Pezeshkian’s address at the United Nations Summit of the Future in New York on September 23, 2024, is a stark reminder of Iran’s continued practice of deception. By claiming that Iran has not supported Russia in its invasion of Ukraine, Pezeshkian has furthered a narrative of denial that has become all too common among Iranian officials. Whether this is influenced by figures like Javad Zarif, known for his history of hypocrisy, or by pressure from the IRGC, the fact remains that the true power in Iran lies within the IRGC and its terrorist wing, the Quds Force. As long as the IRGC holds political influence, Iran will continue to operate as a terrorist state, and its officials will remain monumental liars, concealing their involvement in global conflicts while deflecting blame onto others.