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Writer's pictureNavvar Saban

Special Brief: Iran’s Multifaceted Influence in Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq

Self-Published

Archived Map (August 2021)

Introduction

Iran's strategic influence in the Middle East, particularly in Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon, underscores its long-standing geopolitical ambitions and complex foreign policy dynamics. This influence is manifest through a variety of interventions, each carefully tailored to the specific political, military, and economic contexts of these countries. Iran's multifaceted approach has enabled it to maintain and expand its power across the region, securing its interests and projecting its influence far beyond its borders.


Iran's Multifaceted Support for the Assad Regime in Syria

Iran's support for the Assad regime in Syria has been pivotal in maintaining the regime's stability and extending Tehran's influence in the region. This support manifests through military assistance, economic investments, and political interventions, each contributing to the resilience of Assad's government and ensuring Iran's long-term strategic interests in Syria:

Military Support

Iran has provided critical military assistance to the Assad regime, including training, equipment, and direct involvement in combat operations. This support has been instrumental in bolstering Assad's forces against both internal and external adversaries.

  • Training: Iranian military advisors have been embedded with Syrian forces, offering crucial training in tactics, strategy, and counter-insurgency operations. This training has enhanced the operational effectiveness of the Syrian military.

  • Equipment: Iran has supplied the Assad regime with a wide array of military equipment, ranging from small arms to advanced weaponry, including drones and missile systems. This equipment has been vital in maintaining the regime's combat capabilities.

  • Direct Involvement: Iranian forces, including elements of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and allied militias, have participated directly in combat operations. Their involvement has been crucial in several key battles, helping to turn the tide in favor of Assad's forces.

Economic Investments

Iran's economic engagement in Syria is extensive, involving significant investments in infrastructure and reconstruction projects aimed at rebuilding the country's devastated economy and securing long-term influence.

  • Infrastructure Projects: Iran has invested heavily in rebuilding Syria's infrastructure, including roads, power plants, and telecommunications networks. These projects are designed to not only aid in Syria's recovery but also to integrate the country more closely with Iran's economic sphere.

  • Reconstruction Efforts: Beyond infrastructure, Iran has been involved in broader reconstruction efforts, providing financial aid and resources for rebuilding homes, schools, and hospitals. These efforts are intended to stabilize the country and foster goodwill among the Syrian population.

  • Economic Agreements: Iran has secured several long-term economic agreements with the Assad regime, granting Iranian companies preferential access to Syrian markets and resources. These agreements ensure that Iran will continue to benefit economically from Syria's reconstruction.

Political Interventions

Iran's influence in Syria extends beyond military and economic support to include significant political interventions aimed at shaping the country's political landscape in Tehran's favor.

  • Diplomatic Support: Iran has consistently supported the Assad regime diplomatically, both regionally and internationally. This support includes lobbying at the United Nations and other international forums to counter efforts aimed at isolating the Assad government.

  • Political Advisory: Iranian political advisors have worked closely with Syrian officials, providing guidance on governance, security, and strategic planning. This advisory role helps ensure that the Assad regime's policies align with Tehran's broader regional goals.

  • Fostering Alliances: Iran has facilitated the creation and strengthening of pro-Assad political factions and militias within Syria. By fostering these alliances, Iran ensures a network of loyal groups that can influence Syria's political dynamics and safeguard Iranian interests.


Iran's Militaristic Approach in Lebanon

Since its formation in the chaotic aftermath of Israel's 1982 invasion of Lebanon, Hezbollah has emerged as a cornerstone of Iran's strategy to broaden its influence throughout the Middle East. This relationship has enabled Tehran to project its power far beyond its borders, utilizing Hezbollah as both a military and political tool within the complex Lebanese context.

Political Leverage

Iran has strategically backed Hezbollah’s participation in the Lebanese electoral process, starting with its first foray into parliamentary elections in 1992. This move has effectively converted a military alliance into significant political leverage, solidifying Hezbollah's role within the Lebanese political arena and extending Iran’s influence within the Lebanese state apparatus.

  • Electoral Success: By supporting Hezbollah’s integration into Lebanon’s political system, Iran has ensured that its ally holds considerable sway over national policies. Hezbollah's electoral success has translated into substantial representation in Lebanon’s parliament and government, allowing Iran to indirectly shape Lebanese domestic and foreign policies.

  • Policy Influence: Through Hezbollah, Iran exerts influence over Lebanon’s political decisions, particularly those related to security and foreign policy. This strategic positioning allows Iran to maintain a stronghold in the region, countering adversarial forces and aligning Lebanon’s policies with its regional ambitions.

Economic Support

Iran provides Hezbollah with extensive financial and military support, including sophisticated weaponry. This multifaceted support has strengthened Hezbollah’s capabilities on multiple fronts, enabling it to engage in military conflicts and maintain socio-economic programs that bolster its popularity and influence in Lebanon.

  • Financial Aid: Iran’s financial support encompasses direct funding and economic aid, which Hezbollah uses to sustain its operations and extend its influence within Lebanon. This financial backing is critical for Hezbollah’s military preparedness and political activities.

  • Military Equipment: Iran supplies Hezbollah with advanced weaponry and military technology, significantly enhancing its operational capabilities. This support has been crucial in various military engagements, including the 2006 Lebanon War, where Iranian strategic guidance played a pivotal role.

  • Socio-Economic Programs: Beyond military support, Iran aids Hezbollah in implementing extensive social services and infrastructure projects. These initiatives include healthcare, education, and community development programs that build local support for Hezbollah and, by extension, for Iran.

The symbiotic relationship between Iran and Hezbollah exemplifies Iran's preference for indirect influence in Lebanon. Hezbollah’s extensive involvement in social services and infrastructure development not only addresses the immediate needs of the Lebanese people but also serves as a strategic instrument of Iranian soft power. These activities enhance Hezbollah’s image and, by extension, expand Iran’s influence, securing a bulwark against regional adversaries like Israel.


Iran's Direct Economic Involvement in Iraq

In the wake of the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, Iran seized the ensuing chaos as an opportunity to amplify its influence, particularly by cultivating relationships with various Iraqi Shiite and Kurdish factions. This strategic engagement has been deeply rooted in the shared historical and religious ties that bind the two nations.

Political Strategy

Iran's political strategy in Iraq has been characterized by deep integration into its governmental and security apparatus. The Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, later renamed to downplay its Iranian connections, emerged as a pivotal force in shaping the new Iraqi state. Its Badr Corps militia, trained and equipped in Iran, became integral to Iraq's security forces.

  • Governmental Integration: Iran has embedded itself within Iraq’s political framework by supporting Shiite political factions. This integration ensures that pro-Iranian elements have significant influence over Iraq’s governance and policy-making processes.

  • Security Apparatus: The Badr Corps, initially trained and equipped by Iran, has become a vital component of Iraq’s security forces. This influence extends Iran's reach into Iraq's military structure, ensuring loyalty and alignment with Tehran's interests.

Economic Manipulation

On the economic front, Iran has skillfully manipulated its relations with Iraq to sidestep U.S. sanctions, using Iraq as a channel for money laundering and the smuggling of rebranded Iranian oil. Despite Iraq’s capabilities as a major producer of fossil fuels, it remains dependent on Iranian natural gas for electricity generation, underscoring a critical aspect of economic interdependence that Iran leverages to assert its influence.

  • Sanctions Evasion: Iran uses its economic ties with Iraq to circumvent international sanctions, channeling funds and resources through Iraqi networks. This strategy helps sustain Iran’s economy despite external pressures.

  • Energy Dependence: Iran’s provision of natural gas to Iraq creates a dependency that Tehran exploits to maintain influence over Iraqi energy policies and infrastructure development.

Military Involvement

Iran’s military involvement complements its political and economic influence. By supporting and equipping various Shia militias that are now part of the Iraqi security forces, Iran enhances its strategic depth and ensures that Iraq aligns with its broader regional ambitions.

  • Shia Militias: Iran backs numerous Shia militias, providing training, equipment, and financial support. These militias play a crucial role in maintaining internal security and supporting Iranian strategic objectives in Iraq.

  • Strategic Alignment: The presence and activities of these militias ensure that Iraq’s policies and security measures remain aligned with Iranian interests, further consolidating Tehran's influence in the region.


Conclusion

Iran's strategic influence in the Middle East, particularly in Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq, is a testament to its multifaceted approach to foreign policy and its ability to adapt its strategies to the unique political, military, and economic contexts of these countries. This comprehensive influence underscores Iran's long-standing geopolitical ambitions and its complex dynamics in the region.

In Syria, Iran's support for the Assad regime has been pivotal. Through military support, economic investments, and political interventions, Iran has bolstered Assad's forces and played a crucial role in stabilizing the war-torn country. This involvement has not only ensured the regime's survival but also secured Iran's long-term strategic interests in Syria, integrating the country closely with Iran's economic sphere and political objectives.

In Lebanon, Iran's relationship with Hezbollah exemplifies its preference for indirect influence. By backing Hezbollah's political participation and providing extensive financial and military support, Iran has converted a military alliance into significant political leverage. Hezbollah's role in Lebanon's socio-economic programs further enhances Iran's soft power, securing a bulwark against regional adversaries and extending Tehran's influence within the Lebanese state apparatus.

In Iraq, Iran has exploited the post-2003 political vacuums to deeply embed itself within the country's political and military fabric. By supporting Shia militias and integrating itself into Iraq's security forces, Iran has ensured strategic depth and alignment with its regional ambitions. Economically, Iran has manipulated its relations with Iraq to sidestep international sanctions, leveraging economic interdependence to maintain influence over Iraqi policies and infrastructure development.

Overall, Iran's comprehensive strategy of combining military support, economic investments, and political interventions has enabled it to maintain and expand its influence across the Middle East. This multifaceted approach not only secures Iran's interests but also projects its power far beyond its borders, shaping the geopolitical landscape of the region.

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