Note: As ever, my purpose is not to cater to personal preferences but to articulate the objective reality. This narrative serves as an elucidation of the socio-political mindset prevailing in the Iranian nation concerning their position on Israel. Certain individuals, particularly those espousing strong religious or leftist ideologies, might find it unpalatable, while others may interpret it as an unflinching portrayal of the prevailing reality. Nevertheless, the primary aim of this article is to acquaint non-Iranian acquaintances bewildered by the alignment of Iranians with Israel in the conflict with Hamas.

 

However, an unvarnished depiction of the truth is imperative. Therefore, what you have perused is not steeped in personal emotions or sentiments; rather, it reflects observed facts through the lens of a historian and political activist who has vehemently opposed the fascist regime of the mullahs since its inception by the Carter administration in 1978.

 

 

Introduction

 

On the 7th of October 2023, the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas initiated a multifaceted incursion into southern Israel from the Gaza Strip. This surprise offensive encompassed a relentless barrage of rockets, coupled with approximately 3,000 terrorists breaching the Gaza–Israel barrier to assail Israeli military installations and civilian population centres. The resultant toll was grievous, with the murder of 846 Israeli civilians and 324 soldiers and police during the attack. Additionally, an estimated 240 Israeli and foreign nationals were kidnapped and transported to the Gaza Strip.

 

 

As of the 11th of October, over 44 nations have unequivocally condemned this act of terrorism perpetrated against Israel. Conversely, a minority have assigned culpability to Israel, rebuking and censuring it on the grounds that it is a consequence of its own actions. Noteworthy among these critical voices, the Islamic Regime in Iran assumed a pioneering stance. Intriguingly, and perhaps confounding to some, the Iranian nation, in contrast to all the nations in the Middle East and the broader global community, adopted a divergent posture by aligning with Israel and denouncing the terrorist onslaught by Hamas.

 

The alignment prompted Iranians to declare their allegiance to various social platforms, including Twitter (now X), Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. This surge of support also materialised in enduring anti-regime demonstrations within Iran, persisting since the tragic murder of Mahsa Aminin by the regime's security forces. Notably, amid these protests and anti-regime slogans, there surfaced expressions of opposition to Hamas, epitomised by the vehement chant of 'death to Hamas,' where encountered formidable resistance from the regime's merciless security forces. Resultantly, a multitude of Iranians found themselves unjustly detained, branded as Israeli agents and espionage operatives, languishing within the confines of the regime's prisons.

 

Beyond the borders of Iran, members of the Iranian diaspora also rallied in support of Israel at diverse global locations, including but not limited to London, Paris, Brussels, Berlin, and Los Angeles. This collective exhibition of solidarity underscored the transnational repercussions of the aforementioned alignment, permeating across geopolitical landscapes. Remarkably, certain news agencies, exemplified by the Saudi broadcast TV channel in the Persian language, found these developments to be nothing short of astonishing.[1]

 

However, the fundamental question that emerges is the rationale behind the Iranian nation's alignment with Israel. This brief article seeks to scrutinise and elucidate the underlying reasons for this unexpected geopolitical stance.

 

 

 

1. The Enemy of my enemy is my friend

 

During the 5th century BCE, Athens, in a patrician manner, initiated a series of incursions into the western borders of the Persian Empire (present-day Turkey). However, the initial pillaging was considered by the Persians as Athenians being a pest, but when the ruthless slaying of the Empire's denizens commenced, one of these sporadic incursions resulted in the conflagration of Sardis, prompting the Persian Empire to respond with military prowess.

 

Following a major military campaign by the Persian Empire during the reign of Emperor Xerxes I, an invasion of Greek city-states ensued, leading to the subjugation of Greek speakers and the restoration of the Spartan king to his throne, where he lived in Persia as a refugee. This endeavour, accomplished at a notable financial expense, saw the Persians withdrawing a year later, seemingly anticipating the conclusion of their incursions.

 

Nevertheless, the resumption of plundering activities transpired, compelling the Persian Empire to adopt a new policy. It was during this juncture that the potent maxim, 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend,' found its inception in the Persian Imperial court. Based on the new policy, Persia commenced financing certain city-states, notably Sparta. This strategic manoeuvre aimed to divert Athens' attention towards conflict with its neighbours rather than launching incursions into Persian territories. That resulted in the Peloponnesian War, finally culminating when the Persian Empire, in a decisive intervention, came to the aid of Sparta. The Spartan fleet, financed by Persians, defeated Athens, marking the onset of a period of Spartan hegemony over Greek city-states and the definitive cessation of Athenian piracy.

 

The enduring resonance of the historical maxim 'The enemy of my enemy is my friend' within contemporary geopolitical dynamics merits a more comprehensive exploration. In the current context, this aphorism manifests as a strategic inclination of Iranians towards alignment with Israel, a phenomenon underscored by the perceived adversarial nature of the Islamic regime. The Islamic regime, from the Iranian perspective, is not merely an adversarial entity but also a perceived occupying force. This dual characterisation accentuates the profound discord between the Iranian nation and the tyrant regime, generating a palpable animosity. In this intricate geopolitical tapestry, Israel assumes the role of a contrasting force, representing an antithesis to the prevailing regime in Iran.

 

Therefore, this geopolitical alignment, driven by the age-old maxim, transcends mere enmity towards a common foe. The alignment with Israel equally transformed into a strategic determination by Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, who visited Israel in April 2023.[2] The historical significance of this visit, marking the highest-ranking Iranian official ever to visit Israel, is a testament to the intricate dynamics within the Iranian socio-political landscape.

 

 

2. The Ugly Face of Islam

 

The second decisive factor that compelled Iranians to align with Israel is the forty-four years of firsthand experience with Islamic rule, fostering a profound aversion towards anything evoking an Islamic resonance.

 

Preceding the upheaval of 1978, Iranians harboured a distinct perception of Islam, influenced by the presence of a sophisticated imperial government. They construed Islam as a creed of benevolence, generosity, and humanity. However, with the ascent of the Islamic regime to power and the subsequent implementation of Sharia law, Iranians were confronted with the harsh realities of this malevolent force. They discovered that Islam, at its core, advocates barbarity, propagates savagery and bloodshed, and embodies a misogynistic and discriminatory faith. It is a creed seemingly tailored for the arid sands of Saudi Arabia fourteen centuries ago, finding scant relevance in our contemporary era.

 

Consequently, the percentage of Iranian Shia disavowing Islam has experienced a precipitous decline, plummeting from 89.9% in 1979 to a figure below 32.2% in 2020.[3] Many have embraced atheism, while others have chosen to convert to Christianity or revert to the ancestral religion of Zoroastrian. It is prognosticated that if the Islamic regime persists in power for another decade and so, it would mark the termination of Islam in Iran. Thus, this paradigm shift signifies a resolute rejection of an ideology deemed incongruent with the values and advancements of contemporary society. Consequently, Iranians perceive Hamas as yet another Islamic entity that perpetuates regression and savagery. They staunchly support Israel in thwarting Hamas, viewing it as imperative to impede their influence at any cost.

 

 

 

3. Palestinians siding with the enemies

 

Another factor that compels Iranians to seemingly align with Israel is the role Palestinians played in shaping the modern history of Iran.

 

Iranians cannot disregard or pardon the pivotal role Palestinians played in facilitating the ascent of the fundamentalist regime of mullahs to power. They not only provided terrorist training to the architects of the Islamic regime but also, more notablely, on 8 September 1978, Palestinian terrorists disguised in imperial Iranian army uniforms opened fire on demonstrators, resulting in the death of 67 individuals and injuries to 205 in Jaleh Square in Tehran. This incident, now known as 'Bloody Friday,' coupled with the Cinema Rex incident, where 630 cinema-goers were burnt alive, orchestrated by Khomeini's son, Ahmad. Both events acted as catalysts for the revolution in Iran. Despite the regime and its supporters persistently attributing the violence to the imperial army, Iranians are acutely aware of the Palestinians' role on that day, particularly when Yasser Arafat declared, ‘The Islamic regime owes its existence to Palestinians for creating the Bloody Friday.’

 

In addition to that, during the war with Iraq, over 3000 Palestinians were captured by Iranian armed forces as prisoners of war. They voluntarily enlisted in the Iraqi army as volunteers to engage in hostilities against Iran. Furthermore, when Saddam Hussein was executed by the Americans, Palestinians erected his statue and considered him a martyr.

 

All these factors contribute to the perception among Iranians that Palestinians are adversaries. Interestingly, on social platforms, some Iranians have even expressed a willingness to travel to Israel and join the IDF to confront Palestinians and Hamas terrorists.

 

 

 

4. Historical Implications: A Pivotal Role

 

There are only three countries that have endured since ancient times, and their populations have dwelled in the same geographical regions as their forebears did thousands of years ago: China, Egypt, and Iran. While Egyptians no longer communicate in their ancestral tongue, having supplanted it with Arabic to the extent that they are presently acknowledged as an Arabic nation, the other two nations have preserved not only their linguistic heritage but also their ancient identity. Perhaps some would argue that Greece is also among those nations; yet, the factual reality is that Greece, as a unified and distinct nation-state, came into existence during the 19th century. Its creation was orchestrated by three major powers of the time, Great Britain, Russia, and France, with the primary objective of dismantling the Ottoman Empire. Therefore, designating Greece as an ancient country is unequivocally a historical fabrication that resonates with the axiom: 'Repeat a lie often enough, and it becomes the truth.' However, Iranians present a more intricate case than the other two.

 

Iran, despite being considered an Islamic country for thirteen centuries, Iranians, to this day, commemorate many of their national events in the manner of their non-Muslim ancestors. The Iranian New Year, specifically, endures in concordance with the Zoroastrian New Year, encompassing attendant rites and rituals, most notably the Fire Festival of Charshanbeh Suri. Their calendar, in contrast to other Islamic countries, is solar and based on the ancient calendar. Moreover, the zenith of their annual calendar steadfastly revolves around venerating the nativity of the deity Mithra, a manifestation intricately interwoven into the tapestry of ancient Persian religious traditions, dating back at least five to six millennia ago.

 

Therefore, the past and its historical narrative exert a notable influence on Iranian lives, in stark contrast to numerous nations for whom history holds no relevance to their modern identity; for Iranians, history remains a pivotal factor in defining who they are.

 

Due to heightened self-awareness and a deep-seated national and historical identity, history permeates their lives, with constant comparisons between the present and ancient times. Perhaps one reason for this lies in the fact that, prior to the advent of Islam, Iranians established three major empires, with the Achaemenids considered the world's first superpower.

 

 However, this section must be divided into two segments.

 

 

4a. Iranians Never forget or forgive the Arab Invasion of the 7th Century

 

As mentioned earlier, history plays a pivotal role in Iranian lives, and three events remain indelible in their historical consciousness: the invasion of Iran by Greek city-states under the rule of Macedonian warlord Alexander II in 3rd century BCE, the Arab invasion of Iran during the 7th century CE and its consequential imposition of Islam on Iranians, and the Mongol invasion. However, while Iranians may not dwell extensively on the Alexander and Mongol invasions, they cannot forgive the Arab invasion. They perceive the Islamic regime as the outcome of that historical incursion, especially when the regime's leaders trace their lineage back to the early invaders.

 

The connection between the Arab invasion and the rise of the Islamic regime is so potent that Iranians designate the ascent of the Islamic regime to power as the second Qadisiyyah in their history.

 

Qadisiyyah, the site where, in 636 CE, the Persian Imperial forces confronted the Arab invaders' army, led to the downfall of their capital, Ctesiphon (located 80 km south of modern Baghdad). The fall of Ctesiphon signified the initiation of the decline of the Sasanian Empire, paving the way for the subsequent Arab invasion and Islamisation of Iran.

 

As a result, although the animosity between Iranians and Arabs has always been apparent, particularly manifested through Iranians' frequent use of condescending terms to describe Arabs, the ascent of the regime to power has heightened anti-Arab sentiment notablely. Individuals who speak Arabic or are perceived as Arab are now categorically identified by Iranians as enemies, a classification that extends to Palestinians. Furthermore, those who oppose their perceived adversaries, in this case, Israelis, are naturally regarded as allies.

 

 

4b. Iranians the protectors of Jewish People

 

In the context of the historical relevance in modern Iranian lives, Iranians take immense pride in their historical concepts, with one individual consistently in the spotlight: Cyrus the Great.

 

Cyrus the Great, venerated as the 'father of the Iranian nation,' attained noteworthy feats during his lifespan. These triumphs encompassed the establishment of the world's inaugural superpower, the initiation of the foremost global monetary system, and the meticulous organisation of a compensated military triumvirate comprising an army, navy, and cavalry. Notwithstanding his distinguished military and political achievements, it is imperative to underscore his benevolent treatment of subjects, ensuring their religious and cultural freedom.

 

A tangible manifestation of his virtuous governance is the replication of his cylinder seal, presently embellishing the hallway of the United Nations, notably preceding entry into the Security Council chambers. This seal stands distinguished as the premier charter of human rights, serving as an enduring testament to Cyrus' commitment to enlightened governance. Among his benevolent deeds, a conspicuously noteworthy act was the liberation of the Israelites from Babylonian captivity. Cyrus orchestrated their triumphant return to the homeland, strategically situated at the preeminent western extremity of his expansive empire, where Israel held its place. Moreover, he undertook the solemn responsibility of reconstructing their temples, thereby cementing his legacy as a magnanimous and visionary leader, a distinction encapsulated in the title of 'The Anointed of the Lord' within Jewish traditions.[4]

 

In the first instance, when Iranians perceive their Founder liberated Jews from captivity and exhibited such a gracious act towards them, they view themselves as his progeny, imbued with a profound sense of obligation to consider themselves the protectors of the Jewish people.

 

Nonetheless, that was not the initial occasion on which Iranians came to the aid of the Jewish populace. Centuries later, during the Parthian dynasty, thousands of Jews who had fled Roman oppression sought refuge in Iran, where they were received with open arms, ultimately integrating into Iranian society. Similarly, during the subsequent imperial dynasty, the Sasanians responded to the plea of Jerusalem's Jews for assistance against the Romans. Persian Emperor Khosrow II dispatched a formidable army, led by two of his generals, which liberated Jerusalem and emancipated Jews from Roman shackles. Nevertheless, these acts of protection transpired not only during ancient times but also during the Second World War. French Jews, on the verge of transportation to Auschwitz, were granted Iranian nationality by the Imperial Iranian Embassy in Paris, safeguarding 3,000 Jewish families from gas chambers or Nazi persecution. Furthermore, during that period, over 120,000 Polish individuals, predominantly children and Jews, sought refuge in Iran. Subsequent to the cessation of Nazi atrocities, a majority departed Iran, while a segment chose to remain, assimilating into Iranian societies.

 

Hence, the destiny of the Jewish people has historically been bound by an imperceptible cord to Iran and its people. This connection has motivated numerous Iranians to lend support to Israel in its struggle against Hamas terrorism and his patron the despotic tyrant Islamic regime in Iran.

 

Shapour Suren-Pahlav

17 October 2023

 

 

 

References:

 

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHdKCm534o0

 

[2] Sophiamehr, A. 'Why Did Israel Invite the Exiled Iranian Crown Prince to Visit?', Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs Online, (27 June 2023). Link: https://jcpa.org/why-did-israel-invite-the-exiled-iranian-crown-prince-to-visit

 

[3] Tamimi Arab, P and Maleki, A., 'Iran becoming more secular, less religious, new study reveals', The Print Online, (14 September, 2020). Link: https://theprint.in/world/iran-becoming-more-secular-less-religions-new-study-reveals

 

[4] Suren-Pahlav, Sh. 'Cyrus The Great The Father & Liberator', CAIS Online, (February 1999). Link: https://www.cais-soas.com/CAIS/History/hakhamaneshian/Cyrus-the-great/cyrus_the_great.htm