Iran in shadow of peace deal: Missile fire on Israel from Gaza - analysis

Iran backs Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza and coordinates closely with them.

By SETH J. FRANTZMAN
Members of the Iranian Army take part in the annual military drill, dubbed “Zolphaghar 99”, in the Gulf of Oman, Iran on September 7, 2020 (photo credit: WANA NEWS AGENCY/REUTERS)
Members of the Iranian Army take part in the annual military drill, dubbed “Zolphaghar 99”, in the Gulf of Oman, Iran on September 7, 2020
(photo credit: WANA NEWS AGENCY/REUTERS)
Iranian media has made a point of highlighting the rockets that were fired at Israel from the Gaza Strip during the Washington signing ceremony with the UAE and Bahrain on Tuesday and Fars News said that sirens were heard in Ashkelon and Ashdod “at the same time as Arab, American and Zionists officials gathered at the White House.”
Fars News put the details up quickly on its site, indicating that it was either paying close attention, or had advance knowledge of the strikes. Iran’s media sought to play up the rocket fire immediately, to distract from the signing ceremony.
Iran backs Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza and coordinates closely with them. Fars News said the rockets were fired at the “Zionist settlements of Ashkelon and Ashdod.”
Fars News appeared to claim it had relied on a Reuters and Yediot Ahronot account, but its photos and explanatory text indicated it had delved more deeply into the matter. The Iranian media was interested in the “size of the rocket” used and also Israel’s air defense systems being activated.
Fars News said that Israel’s assertions that it intercepted the rockets were “not true” and it showed images of a damaged shop, saying that “two people were injured.” The Iranian media, which is close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, underlined that the rocket fire came during the signing of the agreement with the UAE and Bahrain.
This was obvious, and others have drawn the conclusions that the Palestinian armed factions in Gaza timed their attack to coincide with the speeches at the signing.
However, what is of interest, is that beforehand, the Iranian media tried to ignore the signing. In the past, Iran has led the condemnation of the new agreements. It has accused the Gulf states of “betraying” the Palestinians and Iran’s regime has opposed US President Donald Trump’s “Deal of the Century.”
Iran has increased its rhetoric in recent weeks, slamming Bahrain for joining the agreements and hinting that it could try to undermine Bahrain’s leaders or carry out a strike on the kingdom. Last September, Iran used drones and cruise missiles to attack Saudi Arabia. It has also sent drones and missiles to the Houthi rebels in Yemen.
The Houthis have been increasing their attacks on Saudi Arabia. Recent reports in Gulf and Austrian media have accused Qatar of having links with the Houthis. Qatar also has warm relations with Iran, helps pay salaries in Gaza, has hosted Hamas, and is close to Turkey. Like Iran, Turkey has slammed the new deals with the Gulf and Ankara has vowed to “liberate Al-Aqsa” in Jerusalem.
In contrast to Fars News, Tasnim news in Iran stressed that Trump might be open to a new Iran Deal, according to a story based on US media reports. It also said that pro-Iranian groups support attacks on US troops in Iraq and it has highlighted Hamas in Gaza, condemning the Israeli deal and other issues.
Overall, the Iranian coverage indicates that Tehran is paying close attention to the rocket fire on Israel and the deal with the Gulf. It wants to emphasize the role of Hamas.
Hamas leaders recently also met Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Hamas is seeking to increase its clout in Lebanon. A high level delegation has been staying in Lebanon for weeks, and Hamas has also met with Hezbollah. Iran appears to be seeking to highlight the Hamas role in order to counteract the agreements between Israel and the Gulf.
Al-Mayadeen media, which tends to support Iran and its proxies, has also highlighted the increasing role of Hamas.
In general, the narrative seems to be that if Israel and the UAE and Bahrain are increasing their connections, then Iran will, at least, pretend that its friends and allies, such as Hezbollah and Hamas, are increasing their role too.