Links between Iran and Hamas-A strategic ploy or a compulsion

This article explores the intricate links between Iran and Hamas, drawing insights from recent events and analyses. Examining their alliance's financial, military, and political dimensions, we will explore the motivations behind Iran's support for Hamas and the potential consequences of this collaboration on the broader geopolitical landscape.In recent years, Hamas has garnered support from various regional players, including Qatar, Turkey, and Algeria. However, Iran's role stands out as particularly influential, marked by overt political backing and alleged covert military assistance. The financial support from Tehran, combined with its historical commitment to the Palestinian cause, underscores Iran's strategic involvement in shaping the dynamics of the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Tracing the Historical Alliance

The historical dynamics between Iran and Hamas form a complex tapestry of geopolitical interests, ideological alignments, and strategic collaborations. The initial connection between the two dates back to 1992 when Hamas leaders, expelled by Israel to Lebanon, established contacts with Hezbollah, a proxy of Iran. This period saw the beginning of what could be termed an "alliance of convenience" during which both entities sought to undermine the peace process between Palestinians and Israel.

Iran's support for Hamas, both financially and militarily, became more pronounced as the Oslo Accords unfolded in 1993. While Hamas aimed to establish an independent Palestinian state, Iran, viewing Israel as a threat to Islam and a usurper of Muslim lands, found common cause with the Palestinian group. The ensuing two decades witnessed a flow of Iranian rockets and weaponry to Gaza through Sudan and tunnels under the Egyptian border.

The relationship faced challenges during the Syrian civil war when Hamas distanced itself temporarily due to Iran's backing of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad. Tensions escalated in 2015 over Hamas's support for Saudi Arabia in the Yemen conflict. However, the alliance rekindled as Hamas realigned itself with Tehran, engaging in open dialogue about military objectives. Financial aid from Iran, estimated between $20 million to $50 million annually from 1990 to 2000, played a pivotal role in sustaining Hamas. The multifaceted assistance included military training, especially during the 2008 Gaza War, and Iran's role became even more critical during the 2011 Egyptian military's closure of tunnels between Gaza and Egypt, which significantly impacted Hamas's revenue.

While the nature of the relationship experienced fluctuations, it demonstrated resilience, with Iran reinitiating funding in 2017 and strengthening ties in subsequent years. Iran's influence extended beyond financial aid to encompass military support, training, and the transfer of advanced weaponry, as highlighted by Iranian leaders praising Hamas for its role in the October 2023 attacks on Israel.

Iran's Extensive Support for Hamas

Iran has played a multifaceted role in supporting Hamas, extending substantial financial aid, military and technical training, and facilitating the acquisition of dual-use goods. Financially, Iran has been a major contributor to Hamas, channeling funds for its operational needs, including the support of the Qassam Brigades. Recent controversies surrounding a $6 billion funding initiative to Iran, despite concerns about its support for groups like Hamas, underscore the persistent financial assistance. Beyond monetary aid, Iran has delved into providing technical training to Hamas operatives, as revealed in recovered documents outlining requests for scholarships in engineering, physics, and technology at Iranian universities. Notably, the training includes specialized programs in explosives engineering, potentially orchestrated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The risk of dual-use goods, ranging from global positioning systems to drones and nuclear technology, also poses a concern, with a network of intermediaries vulnerable to exposure. Moreover, the exploitation of cryptocurrencies for fundraising purposes by Hamas, although met with increased scrutiny and countermeasures, exemplifies the evolving tactics adopted by terrorist groups. Iran's global alliances and regional ties with countries like Qatar, Turkey, and Lebanon further emphasize the complex web of support, encompassing political, diplomatic, and logistical dimensions, ultimately contributing to the sustained capabilities and resilience of Hamas.

International Responses                                                                                                                                                  

The international community has grappled with legal challenges and responses in holding Iran accountable for its alleged support of Hamas, particularly in the wake of the devastating October 7 attacks on Israel. Reports indicate that Iran has been a long-standing supporter of Hamas, providing financial aid, weapons, and training. However, establishing Iran's direct involvement in the specific actions of Hamas has proven difficult, leading to limitations in imposing meaningful costs on Iran under existing international law. The U.S. has taken measures, including sanctions on Iran's access to funds, based on accusations of Iran being "broadly complicit" in the attacks. Legal precedents for holding state actors responsible for proxy actions, such as the standards of "effective control" and "overall control," pose challenges in proving Iran's accountability. The United Nations Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) is suggested as a potential mechanism, although challenges in its implementation exist, given that Iran is not a signatory. The international community is urged to build consensus, lower the bar for accountability, and explore formal mechanisms through the United Nations to address the complexities of state support for proxies like Hamas. As the legal and diplomatic landscape evolves, there is a growing recognition of the need for stronger norms to govern proxy relationships and hold supporting actors accountable for the actions of the proxies they aid. The urgency to close the accountability gap is emphasized, suggesting that military force might be among the few effective measures to discourage future atrocities, emphasizing the importance of creating more options for the international community.

Future Prospects

In conclusion, the complex web of Iran's alleged support for Hamas and the challenges in holding Iran accountable under existing international law have brought forth critical questions about the global response to state-sponsored proxy activities. Despite the evident connections between Iran and Hamas, legal standards like "effective control" and "overall control" present hurdles in attributing direct responsibility. The international community's response, marked by U.S. sanctions on Iran, highlights the difficulties in addressing such proxy relationships within the current legal frameworks.

Looking ahead, prospects suggest the necessity of recalibrating international norms to better address state support for proxies. Urgent efforts are required to build consensus on lowering the threshold for accountability, both informally and through formal mechanisms like the United Nations. The potential revision or augmentation of existing legal frameworks, including treaties like the Arms Trade Treaty, could offer avenues for holding state actors accountable for the actions of proxies.                                                                                                                                                              Moreover, the international community must consider the implications of state-sponsored proxy relationships on regional stability and global security. As Iran's alleged support for Hamas underscores, the evolving nature of proxy dynamics demands proactive measures to deter state actors from engaging in activities that may contribute to destabilization and conflict. Balancing the need for accountability with diplomatic resolutions remains a critical challenge.                       

In the absence of clear legal mechanisms, the prospect of military force as a deterrent adds complexity to the equation, emphasizing the urgency of exploring alternative options. The global community's commitment to addressing these challenges will shape the future landscape of international relations, emphasizing the need for adaptive and robust frameworks to navigate the intricacies of state-sponsored proxy engagements.

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Pic Courtsey- Iran Primer

(The views expressed are those of the author and do not represent views of CESCUBE.)