The following is excerpted from “The Ideological Underpinnings,” Israel Today, Apr. 17, 2026:
“It is often assumed that policymakers in Washington fully understand the ideological foundations of the Iranian regime. That assumption is questionable. Iran’s governing system is not simply authoritarian or generically theocratic; it reflects a distinctive synthesis of religious doctrine, revolutionary theory and anti-colonial thought. This ideological framework shapes both how the mullahs govern internally and how the country’s government positions itself in the world. At its core, the Iranian clerical regime represents an intersection of political Islam, elements of Marxist-influenced revolutionary thinking and anti-colonial ideology—filtered through a particular interpretation of Shi’a Islam sometimes described as ‘Red Shi’ism’. ... In the 20th century, these religious themes intersected with secular revolutionary ideas, especially those associated with anti-colonial movements. The writings of Frantz Fanon were particularly influential. Fanon argued that oppressed peoples could overcome materially stronger powers through sustained resistance, psychological transformation and a willingness to endure suffering. In this framework, endurance becomes a form of power, and struggle itself can reshape both individuals and societies. These ideas resonated across the developing world, including in the Middle East. They contributed to a broader narrative in which asymmetric struggle—often carried out by nonstate actors—could challenge and, under certain conditions, defeat more powerful adversaries. While such theories were not uniquely Islamic, they proved adaptable to religious frameworks that already emphasized sacrifice, justice and moral struggle. Within Iran, these strands were synthesized by intellectuals such as Ali Shariati. Shariati sought to reinterpret Shi’a Islam in explicitly activist and revolutionary terms. ... The institutional structure of the Islamic Republic reflects this synthesis. Alongside conventional state institutions, Iran created parallel organizations designed to safeguard and advance the jihadi’s ideological mission. Most prominent among these is the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ... Understanding this framework is essential for interpreting Iran’s behavior. The regime does not operate solely according to traditional cost-benefit analysis. Concepts such as endurance, resistance, martyrdom and ideological legitimacy play a central role in decision-making. Policies that appear counterproductive when viewed through a purely material lens may serve different purposes within an ideological one—reinforcing internal cohesion, projecting resolve or sustaining a narrative of struggle”.
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