Iran’s allies in 2024: which countries support its stance on the Israel conflict?

On Tuesday, Iran launched a significant missile strike that is expected to have serious repercussions, according to Israel’s military spokesperson. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari reported no known casualties from the barrage, which struck central and southern regions of the country.

“We are maintaining a high state of readiness both defensively and offensively,” Hagari stated during a televised address. “We will protect the citizens of Israel. This attack will not go unanswered. We have strategies in place and will act at a time and place of our choosing.”

The missile salvo was Iran’s response to Israel’s ongoing operations against Tehran’s Hezbollah allies in Lebanon. The attack triggered alarms across Israel, with explosions heard in Jerusalem and the Jordan River valley, prompting residents to seek shelter.

Lines were crossed, say Iran

Earlier this year, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had initially stated that Israel would “regret” the consulate bombing that took place, while Iran’s ambassador to Syria stressed that “Israel crossed red lines.” That was then followed by a barrage of drones and missiles.

The attack, similar to the latest, was anticipated and according to Israeli authorities, around 99% of the hundreds of missiles and drones fired into their territory were intercepted and shot down with aid from US and UK armed forces. Nevertheless, world leaders were anxious about further escalation.

Leaders have continued to call on both sides for restraint for several months, hoping to defuse an already extremely tense situation. Russia and China, both permanent members of the UN Security Council, said they were hoping tensions would not spiral out of control.

“We express our extreme concern over another dangerous escalation in the region,” Russia’s foreign ministry said in a statement on the Iranian attacks in the Spring. “We call on all parties involved to exercise restraint.” China meanwhile, issued a statement through a Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson which read: “China calls on relevant parties to remain calm and exercise restraint to avoid further escalation of tensions”.

Back then, Oman, which has acted as a mediator in the Middle East, issued a statement from its foreign ministry condemning the Israeli attack on Iranian soil, as well as “the repeated Israeli military attacks in the region.”

Who are Iran’s allies?

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin has turned to Iran for military support and in December, the two countries signed an economic agreement designed “to counteract, mitigate and compensate for the negative consequences of unilateral coercive measures” - a maneuver to help both sidestep western sanctions.

Russia has been a long-term ally of North Korea, lending its support during the Korean War. The relationship between the two nations advanced after Vladimir Putin was to power in 2000. North Korea is one of three nations that recognizes the sovereignty of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) and the Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR) as independent states, along with Syria and Abkhazia.

Venezuela has also fortified its alliance with Iran in recent years, turning to the Middle East to help keep its oil industry afloat through heavy crude and fuel as well as non-oil trade deals a multi-million contract to repair Venezuelan refineries under Iranian supervision.

In March last year, Ayatollah Raisi (who was killed in a helicopter crash in May 2024) announced Iran’s economic cooperation with several developing West African countries and the country’s readiness “to transfer knowledge and new technologies to brotherly and friendly countries including African countries”. Khamenei stated: “Strong relations with Africa and Latin America are part of our definite agenda and, God willing, we will pursue this plan.”

Iran’s diplomatic relationships worldwide

A number of countries have severed diplomatic ties with the Middle Eastern nation. For example Iran has no embassy in Washington DC.

The United States severed diplomatic relations with Iran in April 1980 following the seizure of the American Embassy in Tehran and its staff by student militants a few months previously. The hostages eventually were released on January 1981 but diplomatic relations were never restored. Switzerland currently serves as the protecting power for US interests in Iran.

Iran’s diplomatic relations with Egypt were severed in 1980 following the Islamic Revolution and the signing of the Camp David accords and remain suspended. For different reasons, other countries, such as Canada, Yemen, Bahrein, Morocco and Albania also recalled their ambassadors from Tehran.

Iran has garnered support from several nations amid escalating tensions in the Middle East:

Lebanon: Iran maintains a significant influence in Lebanon through Hezbollah, a group it backs financially and militarily. Following the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah by Israeli forces, tensions have escalated. Israel’s ground incursion into southern Lebanon marks a significant escalation, with Hezbollah responding by firing rockets into northern Israel.

Yemen: The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have intensified their activities, demonstrating their alignment with Iranian interests. They launched a ballistic missile at Israel’s main airport and threatened further military operations. Recent attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea highlight their role in regional tensions.

Russia: Sharing long-standing ties rooted in anti-Western sentiments, Russia and Iran have strengthened their alliance. They signed an economic agreement in December to mitigate the impact of Western sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Russia has sought military support from Iran and criticized the U.S. approach in the region as a “complete failure.”

Turkey: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned Israel’s military actions in Lebanon and called on international organizations, including the UN, to intervene promptly. He criticized Israeli leadership, drawing parallels to historical figures, and warned that Turkey could be a future target after Palestine and Lebanon.

China: Chinese diplomats have expressed support for Iran, especially amid the potential for broader conflict involving Hezbollah and Israel. China opposes external interference and sanctions against Iran, advocating for a ceasefire and justice in the Gaza conflict.