Why Iran supports Hamas. Ambassador Stefanini speaks
“Anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism are in the DNA of the Ayatollah regime. Without understanding this element it would not be possible to explain a hostility that makes no sense from a geopolitical point of view. In fact, Israel and Iran do not share any borders." Conversation with Ambassador Stefano Stefanini, former Permanent Representative of Italy to NATO
“Iran is certainly the country that gains the most from this situation.” This is the belief of Ambassador Stefano Stefanini (in the photo), former Diplomatic Advisor to the President of the Republic Giorgio Napolitano and Permanent Representative of Italy to NATO, who in this interview with Start Magazine explains why the ayatollahs rejoiced at the news of the massacre perpetrated by Hamas in Israel.
Is it true that Iran arms and finances Hamas?
It's true: Iran has supported Hamas for a long time, despite the fact that it is a Shiite nation, unlike the men of Hamas who are Sunni. They have overcome their religious differences, and now what keeps them united is the glue of the common enemy, namely Israel. What we probably didn't realize is the level of assistance Iran has provided to Hamas, as we all saw last Saturday. Help that arrives despite Gaza being blocked and communications being extremely difficult.
Despite the obstacles, therefore, the bond is solid.
Unfortunately yes, it is unthinkable that a military attack with this level of sophistication, preparation and intelligence could have been conducted by Hamas without assistance and even training from the militiamen. And the only country that could have done it, and didn't even try to hide it, is Iran.
Doesn't Tehran hide its little hand?
No, just look at the verbal support given to the “al-Aqsa flood” operation. Not even a fig leaf.
But what objective does Tehran set itself in supporting Hamas and its heinous designs?
Anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism are in the DNA of the ayatollahs' regime. Without understanding this element it would not be possible to explain a hostility that makes no sense from a geopolitical point of view. In fact, Israel and Iran do not share any borders. The rivalry between Arab states and Israel has a geopolitical origin, while for Iran there would be no reason to threaten Israel. It is enough to remember that before the revolution of 1979, at the time of the Shah, relations between the two countries were good. In Iran there was even a Jewish community that lived peacefully. I would add that at this moment it is convenient for Iran to have a mission when internal dissent explodes.
Striking Israel now inevitably means derailing the train of normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
At the very least, this process becomes very complicated. Unfortunately at the moment we cannot predict what will happen, even if it seems that Israel will do what it has always been reluctant to do, that is, enter with its men into Gaza and engage in very dangerous urban fighting, house to house. The costs for Israel could be enormous, but the Palestinians will also pay a very high price and at that point no one knows what the reactions of countries like Saudi Arabia will be. Imagine what would happen if a third intifada broke out. There is therefore a real risk that the delicate process of normalization of relations between Israel and the Arab states, which desire nothing else, would be fatally compromised.
But was a new “Abraham Agreement” really looming like those signed starting in 2020?
This was what was looming until 72 hours ago. Unfortunately, unthinkable scenarios are now opening up.
In short, Iran got what it wanted.
Iran is certainly the country that gains the most from this situation.
This is a machine translation from Italian language of a post published on Start Magazine at the URL https://www.startmag.it/mondo/perche-liran-sostiene-hamas-parla-lambasciatore-stefanini/ on Tue, 10 Oct 2023 06:00:28 +0000.