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Funding of the Axis of Resistance

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The Funding of the Axis of Resistance refers to the way the axis, a network of Iranian-backed militias and political groups in the Middle East,[1][2] gains its financial resources. Via the Qods Force[3]—a special forces unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps—Iran has allocated substantial resources to strengthen each group's capabilities over decades.

Background

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Main article: Axis of Resistance

The Axis of Resistance is a network of Iranian-backed militias and political groups in the Middle East,[1][2] formed by Iran by uniting and grooming armed groups that are dedicated to confront the influence of United States and Israel in the Middle East.[4][5][4][6] The U.S. designates most of these groups as terrorist organizations.[1] Hezbollah, which emerged in Lebanon in the early 1980s with direct backing from Iran and shares its Shi'ite Islamist ideology,[7][8] is the most prominent member of the axis.[7] Other prominent groups within the coalition include the Palestinian group Hamas,[7][2][5] the Palestinian Islamic Jihad,[2] the Houthi movement in Yemen,[2][5] and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.[7][2][5] The Syrian regime was the only other state member except Iran,[7] and used to host fighters recruited and trained by Iran.[9]

Assad's regime in Syria

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Iran had long envisioned establishing a dominant influence in Bashar al-Assad's Syria, leveraging the nation's reconstruction after the Syrian civil war that began in 2011. The fall of the Assad regime, however, marked a serious setback for Iran's ambitions in the Middle East. Tehran had long envisioned establishing a dominant. This act brought an end to years of investment and strategy.[10][11]

Bashar al-Assad, former Syrian autocrat

Iran's involvement in Syria has been marked by significant financial and military investment. During the Syrian civil war, Iran spent an estimated $50 billion supporting Assad's regime.[12][13][14] Beyond direct financial and material support, Iran sought to entrench its influence in Syria through a series of economic agreements, particularly after 2017. These agreements often prioritized Iranian interests over Syrian sovereignty, granting Iran advantages in key sectors, including telecommunications, agriculture, and infrastructure. One agreement involved the construction of a strategic oil port on the Mediterranean Sea.[15]

The financial toll of Iran's involvement in Syria has been immense. On December 7, 2024, former Iranian lawmaker Bahram Parsaei revealed that Syria's debt to Iran had exceeded $30 billion.[14]

Hezbollah

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Main article: Funding of Hezbollah
Hezbollah soldiers in a drill

Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shia militant group and political party, is among the primary beneficiaries of Iranian support. According to the US State Department, Iran is the primary source of the group's training, arms, and financial support, contributing hundreds of millions of dollars annually to the group.[16] In 2018, US officials estimated Iran transfers $700 million annually.[17][18]

Yemeni Houthis

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In Yemen, Iran backs the Houthi movement, providing them with weapons, training, and financial assistance. While precise funding figures are elusive, the U.S. Treasury Department has sanctioned networks accused of facilitating billions of dollars for Iran's military, which, in turn, supports groups like the Houthis.[19]

Iraqi Militias

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Iranian support extends to various Shia militias in Iraq, such as Kata'ib Hezbollah and Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq. These groups receive funding, training, and arms from Iran, though specific financial details are not publicly disclosed. The U.S. State Department has noted Iran's provision of sophisticated weapons, including unmanned aerial systems, to these militias.[20]

Palestinian Groups

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Combatants of Hamas 7-10-2023

Iran also extends financial aid to Palestinian militant organizations, including Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Historically, this support amounted to around $100 million annually.[21] However, reports indicate that by 2023, Iran had increased its funding for Hamas to approximately $350 million per year.[22]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Hubbard, Ben; Rubin, Alissa J. (30 September 2024). "Facing a Big Test, Iran's 'Axis of Resistance' Flails". The New York Times.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Al-Kassab, Fatima (26 October 2023). "What is the 'axis of resistance' of Iran-backed groups in the Middle East?". NPR. Archived from the original on 29 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  3. ^ "What is Iran's axis of resistance?". The Economist. ISSN 0013-0613. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
  4. ^ a b J. Rubin, Alissa; Hubbard, Ben; Gamio, Lazaro (1 October 2024). "What to Know About the Axis of Resistance, the Iran-backed Militia Network". The New York Times.
  5. ^ a b c d "What is Iran's 'Axis of Resistance'?". Reuters. 13 April 2024.
  6. ^ "After the decapitation of Hizbullah, Iran could race for a nuclear bomb". The Economist. ISSN 0013-0613. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d e Hubbard, Ben; Rubin, Alissa J. (30 September 2024). "Facing a Big Test, Iran's 'Axis of Resistance' Flails". The New York Times.
  8. ^ Trofimov, Yaroslav (2024-10-03). "Iran Exposed to Israeli Counterattack After Blows Against Its Allies". The Wall Street Journal.
  9. ^ J. Rubin, Alissa; Hubbard, Ben; Gamio, Lazaro (1 October 2024). "What to Know About the Axis of Resistance, the Iran-backed Militia Network". The New York Times.
  10. ^ "Bashar al-Assad, an Ophthalmologist Who Became a Dictator, Is the Last of a Despotic Dynasty". The Wall Street Journal. 2024-12-08.
  11. ^ "Iran Suffers Blow of 'Historic Proportions' With Assad's Fall". The Wall Street Journal. 2024-12-10.
  12. ^ "Sanctions on Syria: Iran's Economic Gains and the Gulf-U.S. Divide". Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. 2024-11-14. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  13. ^ "Why Did Iran Allow Bashar al-Assad's Downfall?". Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  14. ^ a b "Deep Dive: Syria's foreign debt to Iran". Amwaj.media. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  15. ^ "Acquisition Through Pressure: Expansion of Iran's Economic Influence in Syria". EPC.
  16. ^ "What Is Hezbollah? | Council on Foreign Relations". www.cfr.org. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  17. ^ Iran pays Hezbollah $700 million a year, US official says, The National, 5 June 2018
  18. ^ Hezbollah paying the price of Iranian obstinance, YNET, 27 May 2019
  19. ^ Psaledakis, Daphne (June 26, 2024). "US slaps sanctions on network it accuses of moving billions for Iran's military". Reuters.
  20. ^ "Iran". United States Department of State. Retrieved 2024-12-16.
  21. ^ "Iran's Islamist Proxies in the Middle East | Wilson Center". www.wilsoncenter.org. Retrieved 2024-12-16.
  22. ^ "How Hamas secretly built a 'mini-army' to fight Israel". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2024-07-10. Retrieved 2024-12-16.
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