Introduction

Iran played a crucial role in the formation and development of Hezbollah in the early 1980s. Here are the key aspects of Iran’s involvement:

Catalyst and Opportunity

The 1979 Iranian Islamic Revolution set the stage for Iran’s increased influence in Lebanon. When Israel invaded Lebanon in 1982, Iran saw an opportunity to expand its ideological and strategic reach in the region.

Ideological Foundation

Iran provided the ideological framework for Hezbollah, based on Shia Islamist principles and the revolutionary ideology of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Hezbollah’s 1985 manifesto explicitly pledged allegiance to Iran’s supreme leader.

Financial and Military Support

Iran offered substantial financial backing to Hezbollah from its inception. Estimates suggest Iran provided tens of millions of dollars annually (some sources claim over $200 million) to cover salaries and services. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) played a pivotal role in providing military training, weapons, and organizational support to Hezbollah.

Strategic Asset

For Iran, Hezbollah became a strategic asset to:

Extend Iranian influence to the Mediterranean

Demonstrate anti-Israel credentials

Provide a proxy force for regional operations

Support other Iranian-backed militias in the Middle East

Ongoing Relationship

Iran continues to be Hezbollah’s primary backer, providing hundreds of millions of dollars annually, as well as weapons and training. Hezbollah is often described as Iran’s most successful export of the 1979 revolution.

In essence, Iran seized the opportunity presented by Lebanon’s civil war and the Israeli invasion to create and nurture Hezbollah as a powerful proxy, allowing it to project power and influence far beyond its borders while avoiding direct confrontation with its adversaries.