INTRODUCTION

 

The Islamic Revolution of 1979 that took place in the Iranian Republic saw the overthrow of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the erstwhile Shah of Iran. The event is essential in understanding the demographic and the structuring of foreign policy in the region and the world. As the Islamic Revolution was spearheaded by Shia-based forces led by Ruhollah Khomeini, a Shia Islamic cleric. 

Professor Arjomand explains how Shia forces led the revolt, “In the Islamic Revolution in Iran, the entire beleaguered Shi'ite hierocracy rose against the state.” With the establishment of an Islamic Republic, it sought to export its revolutionary ideas and obtain dominance in the Middle East. This was especially true during the rule of Ayatollah Khomeini who focused on the ideological principle of exporting the revolution to Islamic nations. 

The revolution would be exported to free Muslim and non-Muslim nations from the tyranny of corrupt and oppresive leaders. Therefore, Iran in the 21st century has reshaped its foreign policy to wield its military power and utilise methods to reestablish the state of Palestine creating animosity with Israel. 

IRAN-ISRAEL: DAVID VS GOLIATH

Initially, Israel and Iran have had good diplomatic relations with each other since the coup that brought Shah Pahlavi to power in 1953. 

Post the coup in 1979, Iran understood the sentiments behind forming the Palestinian state which would provide a major victory in front of their Sunni neighbours who failed to do so in 1948 and 1967 respectively. It was believed that taking a strong stance on the Palestinian statehood would help overcome the divide between the Arabs-Persians and Sunni-Shias. This would also help Iran to establish its leadership and put the US allies in West Asia on the backfoot. 

Furthermore, to strengthen its position, Iran has been developing nuclear weapons to consolidate its authority. It might appear that after the withdrawal of Iran from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Tehran would not not rush into enriching its nuclear programme. 

Director Kelsey Davenport of the Non Proliferation Policy at Arms Control Association articulates, “Tehran is more likely to test the boundaries of the deal to assess how the remaining parties respond, rather than withdrawing outright and quickly reconstituting its nuclear program.” 

In an effort to halt the Iranian nuclear program, Israeli intelligence has engaged in covert operations. This has led to the targeting of senior figures in the nuclear program. (Moreover, to halt the developments of the nuclear programme, Mossad, the Israeli intelligence agency, has been carrying out covert action and has dealt with senior members of the nuclear programme.) Reports propose that Mossad, Israel's intelligence organisation, executed or assisted in those killings to disrupt Iran's nuclear programme. 

Therefore, to counter Israel, Iran and other Arab states use the Axis of Resistance to exercise their influence.

AXIS OF RESISTANCE

Iran’s Axis of Resistance consists of a network of political parties and armed groups that span Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Yemen. It is ideologically connected by the joint struggle of these actors against Israel, the United States, and their allies, and it is operationally supported by the Quds Force. 

Houthis, Hezbollah, Hamas and Islamic Resistance in Iraq are few groups that act in the interests of the Iranian State. Hamas is particularly based out of the Gaza Strip since 2007 and through its other allies such as the Palestinian Islamic Jihad has indulged in terror attacks against the state of Israel. 

The October 7th attacks proved that this terror organisation can cripple the security apparatus of Tel Aviv. Since being on the defensive, it has seeked to inflict pain on the IDF and bring international attention to region. 

Scholar Levy argues, “The current war now tests this approach as Israel has stated that its goal is to dismantle Hamas in Gaza and appears willing to pay a considerable price to achieve it.” Hezbollah, a Lebanese based Shia group, was formed during the civil war whose main intention is to remove Israeli presence in Southern Lebanon. 

After the October 7 attacks, it has sought to back Hamas and fire artillery and rockets post the Blue Line which is the de facto border between Israel and Lebanon. Hezbollah has always engaged in guerilla tactics while dealing with Israel and plans to weaken it. 

The secretary  of Hezbollah, General Hassan Nasarallah, articulated, “Our operations on the border have forced the IDF to divert forces, weapons and equipment from Gaza and the West Bank to the Lebanese front.” This has been beneficial towards Iran and its strategy to contain Israel. 

The Houthi rebels have been aided by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as they have stationed missile and drone trainers and operators in Yemen. They had hijacked a UK based Galaxy Leader, threatening assaults on Israel-linked vessels. By early December, around 12% of worldwide maritime freights that traverses the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to Suez Canal was rerouted, adding 2-3 weeks to voyage times around Africa. 

Therefore, through its proxies, Iran intends to weaken the Israeli technological and military presence and break US resolve in the region.

HUMAN RIGHTS PROTESTS

In the aftermath of the 2022 “Mahsa Amini” protests sparked by Mahsa Amini's death under the custody of Iran's moral police, the Iranian government intensified their crackdown in 2023. They suppressed protests, the usage of illegal force and mass arrests increased. 

Thousands faced interrogations, arbitrary detentions, unfair trials and imprisonment for peacefully workout rights. Torture, enforced disappearances, and widespread usage of death penalty were employed to inhibit the protests. Women and girls confronted harsher compulsory veiling laws violating their rights. LGBTQIA+ people, ethnic and religious minorities suffered systemic discrimination and violence. 

Authorities persevered to conceal truth about the 2020 downing of a Ukrainian plane. Impunity prevailed for crimes towards humanity including the 1988 prison massacres. Environmental degradation remained unaddressed.

CONCLUSION

The 1979 Islamic Revolution essentially altered Iran's foreign policy trajectory, fueling animosity toward Israel and bolstering guide for resistance businesses like Hezbollah and Hamas to counter the Israeli effect. Tehran's pursuit of nuclear abilities, employment of regional proxies, and recent brutal suppression of home dissent have positioned it as a destabilizing force and heightened tensions with the worldwide network.

BY TEAM GEOSTRATA