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Iran Calls Ceasefire a ‘Great Victory’ for Hamas

Feature Article Irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamene
SUN, 19 JAN 2025
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamene

Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guards have hailed the ceasefire agreement as a “great victory” for Hamas, drawing parallels to the catastrophic attack of 7 October 2023 that marked the beginning of the current Israel-Hamas conflict. In a post on the X social media platform, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, voiced his support, suggesting that the Iranian-backed “Resistance Front” had successfully “forced the Zionist regime to retreat”. This celebration of the ceasefire highlights Iran’s longstanding backing of Hamas, its role in the region and the complexities surrounding its involvement in the broader Middle East conflict.

Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that controls the Gaza Strip, has been a key recipient of Iranian support for many years. In particular, Iran has provided Hamas with financial, military and ideological assistance, further cementing its alliance with the group. This relationship has drawn Iran into the heart of the ongoing conflict, aligning it with Hamas against Israel and, by extension, the West. The rhetoric surrounding the ceasefire demonstrates the depth of this alliance and the continued backing Iran extends to Hamas, which is regarded by Israel and several Western nations as a terrorist organization.

The Ceasefire: A “Victory” for Hamas?

The Iranian Revolutionary Guards' portrayal of the ceasefire as a “great victory” for Hamas is a strategic narrative meant to amplify the group's image in the Middle East. For Iran, celebrating Hamas’ success is part of a broader regional agenda aimed at challenging Israel’s security and weakening its standing on the global stage. The comparison to the October 7 attack, the deadliest assault on Israel in years, further underscores Iran’s alignment with Hamas, as both sides view the current conflict as part of a long-standing struggle against Israeli policies and the occupation of Palestinian territories.

Iran’s characterization of the ceasefire suggests that it views the Israeli government’s decision to agree to the ceasefire as a retreat. This narrative aligns with the Iranian worldview, which frames the ongoing conflict in terms of resistance against Israeli “aggression” and the broader struggle for Palestinian liberation. From this perspective, any cessation of hostilities is seen as a form of victory, as it disrupts Israel’s military objectives and provides Hamas with a temporary reprieve.

While it is true that the ceasefire has provided some relief for civilians caught in the crossfire, the Iranian narrative oversimplifies the situation. The ceasefire is not necessarily an unequivocal win for Hamas, nor is it an outright defeat for Israel. Instead, it represents a complex and fragile pause in the fighting, where both sides have made significant concessions for different reasons. Hamas, which has faced severe military pressure from Israeli forces, may have used the ceasefire to regroup and secure much-needed aid for its supporters. For Israel, the ceasefire represents an opportunity to avoid further international condemnation, particularly regarding its military operations in Gaza, which have resulted in widespread civilian casualties.

The Role of Iran in the Israel-Hamas Conflict

Iran’s involvement in the current conflict is a subject of intense geopolitical scrutiny. As a longstanding supporter of Hamas, Tehran has provided substantial aid to the group over the years, including weapons, training and financial assistance. While Iran has not officially confirmed its direct role in the 7 October attack on Israel, documents published by The New York Times last year shed light on Iran’s discussions with Hamas regarding the attack. According to these documents, a senior Iranian commander told Hamas that Iran and its ally, Hezbollah, were in principle supportive of the attack but needed more time to prepare. In the end, neither Iran nor Hezbollah participated directly in the attack, though their ideological and material support for Hamas remains indisputable.

Iran’s involvement in the conflict is also shaped by its broader regional objectives. Tehran has long sought to expand its influence across the Middle East by supporting groups that challenge Israel and Western interests. By backing Hamas, Iran is able to project power in the Palestinian territories, bolster its ties with Hezbollah in Lebanon and create a united front of resistance against Israeli military operations. The Iranian-backed “Resistance Front”, as Khamenei referred to it, represents a coalition of forces, including Hamas, Hezbollah and other regional militias, that share a common goal of weakening Israel’s regional dominance.

However, Iran’s role in the conflict is not without controversy. Israel and its allies, particularly the United States, view Iran’s support for Hamas as destabilizing and dangerous. Iran is accused of fueling the violence by providing the group with the means to wage war against Israel. In turn, this has resulted in Israel intensifying its military operations in Gaza and expanding its targeting of Hamas infrastructure, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.

Iran’s Strategic Goals in the Middle East

The rhetoric surrounding the ceasefire and Iran’s continued support for Hamas must be understood in the context of Iran’s broader regional strategy. Tehran seeks to establish itself as the dominant power in the Middle East by leveraging proxy groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah and the Popular Mobilization Forces in Iraq. These groups, which receive financial and military aid from Iran, act as a bulwark against Israeli and Western influence in the region.

By portraying the ceasefire as a victory for Hamas, Iran is sending a message to both its allies and adversaries. To its allies, the message is clear: Iran remains committed to the Palestinian cause and will continue to support groups that challenge Israeli policies. To its adversaries, the message is one of defiance: Iran is unbowed by international pressure and will persist in its efforts to undermine Israel’s security and legitimacy.

Iran’s support for Hamas is also an attempt to maintain its relevance in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While the Palestinian cause is central to many Arab states, Iran’s involvement in the conflict gives it a unique position in the region. By positioning itself as a leader of the “Resistance Front”, Iran can appeal to Arab public opinion and strengthen its influence among Palestinian factions. This also helps Iran maintain its relationship with Hezbollah, which shares its ideological commitment to the destruction of Israel.

Furthermore, Iran’s support for Hamas allows it to challenge the influence of the United States and its allies in the Middle East. The US has long been a staunch ally of Israel, and Tehran’s backing of Hamas serves as a counterbalance to American power in the region. By providing material support to Hamas and other resistance groups, Iran is not only opposing Israeli actions but also challenging American influence in the broader Middle East.

The Implications of the Ceasefire
The ceasefire agreement, while hailed as a victory by Iran and Hamas, does not resolve the underlying issues that have fueled the Israel-Hamas conflict for decades. The situation in Gaza remains dire, with civilian casualties mounting and infrastructure in ruins. A lasting peace requires more than just a temporary cessation of hostilities; it demands a comprehensive political solution that addresses the root causes of the conflict, including the status of Jerusalem, the borders of Israel and the rights of Palestinian refugees.

The ceasefire, however, does provide an opportunity for diplomacy to take center stage. It offers a brief moment of relief for those caught in the conflict and presents an opening for international actors to push for a more lasting peace agreement. But Iran’s celebration of Hamas’ victory and its continued support for militant groups suggest that Tehran remains more interested in maintaining its influence over the Palestinian cause than in promoting a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

While the ceasefire may offer a temporary respite, the broader conflict between Israel and Hamas is far from over. As long as Iran continues to back Hamas, the prospects for lasting peace remain uncertain. The current situation underscores the deep divisions in the Middle East, where competing ideologies and geopolitical interests continue to fuel conflict and instability. Until these underlying issues are addressed, the cycle of violence is likely to persist, with Iran playing a central role in shaping the outcome.

Ultimately, Iran’s celebration of the ceasefire agreement as a “great victory” for Hamas highlights the complex and contentious nature of the Israel-Hamas conflict. While Iran’s backing of Hamas strengthens its regional influence and challenges Israeli and Western interests, it also complicates efforts to achieve a lasting peace. The ceasefire, while offering temporary relief, does not resolve the broader issues at play, and the future of the conflict remains uncertain as Iran continues to support Hamas in its struggle against Israel.

The writer is a journalist and columnist specializing in international affairs, a PR expert, and a journalism lecturer with a PhD in Journalism and expertise in global diplomacy and foreign policy. Contact: [email protected]

Richmond Acheampong
Richmond Acheampong, © 2025

Dr. Richmond Acheampong is a journalist, columnist specializing in international affairs, PR expert, and journalism lecturer with a PhD in Journalism and expertise in global diplomacy and foreign policy. Email: [email protected]Column: Richmond Acheampong

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