Iran Exports Crimes Against Humanity to Israel

Latest Developments

Hamas spokesman Ghazi Hamad told the BBC on October 7 that his organization is receiving direct backing from Iran. The statement comes one day after Palestinian terrorists infiltrated Israel, murdering at least 700 Israelis, including many women and children, in door-to-door killing sprees. Hamad’s assertion further reflects the Tehran regime’s decades-long perpetration and sponsorship of terror throughout the world — most notably in Israel, Ukraine, and Iran itself.

Expert Analysis

“The regime in Iran is the leading state of terrorism. A core pillar of the Islamic Republic’s ideology is the export of terrorism in the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, and globally. Those looking for direct regime fingerprints in yesterday’s Hamas attacks are missing the dunes for the grains of sand. Tehran has funded, trained, and weaponized Hamas and its other terror proxies to murder Israelis, as it has helped Vladimir Putin to murder Ukrainians, Assad to murder Syrians, and its militias to murder Americans.” — Mark Dubowitz, FDD CEO

“The Islamic Republic’s support for Russia’s war against Ukraine in many ways resembles Iran’s sponsorship of Middle Eastern terror groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas. Tehran has helped fuel Russia’s revanchist war by providing Shahed drones and other weapons to Moscow and helping Russia establish local Shahed production. It is no surprise that Kyiv is now highlighting the parallels between Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and Hamas’ attack against Israel.” — John Hardie, Deputy Director of FDD’s Russia Program

Funding Palestinian Terror

Hamas is a long-time beneficiary of the Islamic Republic and has collected billions in Iranian funding since 1992 — receiving some $100 million annually — in addition to Iranian weapons and technology. In total, Iran supports 19 terrorist groups along Israel’s borders whose sole aim is to destroy Israel. Last year, Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh said in an interview with Al Jazeera that Iran was the group’s biggest benefactor, whose largess has allowed the group to develop missiles, defense systems, and a comprehensive strategy. During a public rally in 2014, Hamas spokesman Abu Obaidah thanked the Islamic Republic for providing the group with “weapons, money, and other equipment,” including missiles and anti-tank munitions.

Helping Russia Kill Ukrainians

Since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Tehran has provided thousands of drones to Moscow, which has used them to inflict significant civilian casualties. Russia and Iran are also sharing intelligence and harassing American forces in Syria as part of a joint effort to drive the United States out of the region.

A growing defense cooperation and meetings between top Iranian and Russian military officials indicate Iran is likely to send more weapons to Russia. Iran may also start providing ballistic missiles to Russia, which are harder to shoot down and cause more damage than drones, once United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231’s restrictions on Iran’s ballistic missile development and export expire on October 18.

Terrorizing Iranians

Tehran’s terror begins at home, where the regime routinely violates the human rights of its own citizens. Iran has violently cracked down on protestors and human rights activists since nationwide protests began in September 2022 following the murder of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini by the regime’s morality police. According to an FDD tracker, Iran has killed 638 protestors to date, 79 of whom were children, and arrested 22,811.

During protests, Iranian security forces have deliberately shot women in the eyes, breasts, and genitals, according to Iranian doctors. In July 2023, Iran’s morality police intensified street patrols. According to the Oslo-based nonprofit Iran Human Rights, Iran has executed seven people on protest-related charges, with 10 receiving death sentences and 82 facing charges including the death penalty.

Related Analysis

“Hamas Terror Against Israel Sponsored by Iran,” FDD Flash Brief

“U.S. Sends Seized Iranian Ammunition to Ukraine,” FDD Flash Brief

“Iran and Russia Deepen Ties as Russian Defense Minister Visits Tehran,” FDD Flash Brief