The Middle East has once again become a battlefield starting from February 28. The confrontation, which began with US and Israeli air strikes on Iran, has now led to all neighboring countries also being subjected to air strikes. Although no official military bloc exists during these events, it can be observed that Tehran has created a system of close partners through the political, military, and ideological network it has formed over many years.
Modern.az presents a general overview of the main countries and forces that Iran calls friends.
Lebanon and “Hezbollah”
Lebanon is considered one of Iran's main strongholds in the region. Although the political situation in the country is complex, the "Hezbollah" movement, known for its close ties to Tehran, has a significant influence on Lebanon's security and political system. This organization has been supported by Iran for many years in terms of finance, military, and logistics, and is considered one of Tehran's main regional levers against Israel.
Iraq and Shia armed groups
Iraq is cited as one of the countries where Iran's sphere of influence has strengthened after the withdrawal of US troops. A number of Shia armed groups operating in Iraq have close ties with Tehran, and these forces are considered part of Iran's strategic depth in the region.
Complex Rapprochement with Turkey
Although relations between Turkey and Iran are contradictory, a certain rapprochement has been observed on specific issues in recent years. During the presidency of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Ankara and Tehran have cooperated on some regional topics, though these relations are primarily pragmatic in nature.
Palestine and Hamas
The Hamas movement, which controls the Gaza Strip, is also among the forces supported by Iran. Numerous reports have been circulated in international media about the organization being financed by Iran and receiving weapons and training support. Nevertheless, as Hamas adheres to Sunni ideology while Iran is a Shia state, relations between the parties are largely considered tactical cooperation based on a common stance against Israel.
Oman and the Gulf Balance
Oman is considered one of the rare Arab countries in the region that maintains stable and relatively positive relations with Iran. Oman has long acted as a mediator between Tehran and the West and has preserved economic and financial ties. However, Iran's recent strikes have created serious problems for its relations with Gulf countries.
Distant Ally: North Korea
North Korea is also cited as a country with close relations with Iran. With North Korea, military-technical cooperation has been more of a subject of discussion. International reports have included claims of cooperation between Iran and Pyongyang in the field of missile and military technologies.
The Russia and China Factor
Although Russia and China are considered important partners for Iran, these relations are primarily based on geopolitical and economic interests. According to experts, while both countries cooperate with Iran, a classic military alliance model does not exist, and the parties exhibit a more pragmatic approach.
Overall Picture
Thus, the concept of Iran's “friends” primarily consists of regional armed groups, political allies, and states that share a common stance against the US. Furthermore, many relationships are not ideological but are rather built on tactical and geopolitical interests.
In the event of a possible large-scale conflict, the extent to which these ties will translate into real military and political support will depend on the international situation and the balance of interests among the parties.
