Iran bid for influence casts long shadow over Gaza

Published on Saturday 10 January 2009 18:53

BEHIND the fighting in Gaza looms the shadow of Tehran, with Iran being one of Hamas's strongest supporters.

It is regularly accused by Israel of providing the group with arms, training and money.

Tehran, which does not recognise Israel, says it gives moral and financial support to the group that has been isolated by much of the Arab world and international community.

Iran believes that the way to maintain influence in this region is by having a strong Hezbollah and a strong Hamas.

Analysts say it is not clear whether Iran encouraged Hamas to decide not to renew its truce with Israel in December or whether it pushed them to fire the rockets that Israel says it is trying to stop.

Iran wants to send a message to the new US administration and to Arab governments that it is a power to be reckoned with in the region by championing the cause of Hamas in its fight with Israel.

Analysts also believe President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, expected to seek re-election in June, may also have found in the Gaza crisis a distraction from his economic management and tumbling oil revenues. He can also seize the opportunity to further his aim of promoting his country as a leader of popular Arab, Muslim and anti-American feeling, just as he did during the Israel/Lebanon war in 2006.

The influential parliamentary speaker, Ali Larijani, has recently travelled to the Syrian capital Damascus for talks with Iran's allies in Hamas, Hezbollah and the Syrian government.

On the same day, the Syrian foreign minister gave a tough interview to the Hezbollah TV station, al Manar, where he urged Hamas to stand firm. The Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, also hardened his position in a speech on Wednesday.

Israel already sees its battle with Hamas as a proxy battle against Iran. The question now is whether the confrontation between Israel and Iran moves centre-stage, to become an all-out battle for supremacy in the Middle East.

Iranian analyst Baqer Moin said: "The message from the Iranians (to Washington] is there is give and take. We are a regional power and you have to acknowledge that and talk to us on that level if you want us to be cooperative on issues where you need us."