Iran forms alliance with Syria and Hamas

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Iran is enlisting Syria and the militant Palestinian Hamas group -- both also at odds with the United States, Israel and some countries in western Europe -- as allies in the battle over its nuclear program.

The move has prompted Israel's UN Ambassador Dan Gillerman to declare that "a dark cloud is looming above our region, and it is metastasizing as a result of the statements and actions by leaders of Iran, Syria and the newly elected government of the Palestinian Authority."

Syria and Iran have historically close ties dating to 1980, when Syria sided with Iran against Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in the Iran-Iraq war. But ties have become cozier since President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was elected in Iran last summer.

Syria was the new leader's first destination, and President Bashar Assad became the first head of state to travel to Iran after Ahmadinejad took office.

Iranian and Syrian officials spoke of forming a united front to counter external pressure.

Iran also has a long history of close ties to Hamas. Despite its denials, Iran is believed to have funded the group for years.

After Hamas won Palestinian legislative elections and the United States and western Europe cut funding because of the militant organization's pledge to destroy Israel, Iran said it was sending the beleaguered Hamas-led government $50 million.

It remains unclear whether the money reached the Palestinians because Arab bankers fear U.S. retribution if they forward the funds.

Iran, Syria and Hamas share an ideology that rejects Israel, opposes the Mideast peace process and is hostile to the United States, but analysts say the alliance is nothing more than a tactic to boost morale and would be of little use to Iran should the United States attack.

"Tactically, the other part of the equation is too weak at the moment. Iran will certainly try to use all the options it has, but the Syria-Hamas factor is not beneficial to Iran," said political analyst Mashallah Shamsolvaezin, who is based in Tehran.

"Syria and Hamas have their own problems. Damascus is trying to deal with international pressure over the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, and Hamas is almost broke and does not have the ability to take any initiatives to help Iran," Shamsolvaezin said.

Diaa Rashwan, a political analyst based in Cairo, Egypt, concurred, saying Syria has "moved down the list of countries on the U.S. radar."

Iranian political commentator Ahmad Bakhshayesh said both Syria and Hamas would want to avoid any unnecessary attention now.

"They are busy with their own domestic and international issues and would want to avoid new problems," he said.

But other, more powerful Arab countries could take up the slack.

"If something on the ground happens, there will be solidarity with Iran across the Arab world," except perhaps the neighboring gulf states, he said.

Iran has taken comfort with support from Russia and China in the nuclear dispute. Both countries are veto-holding members of the UN Security Council and oppose sanctions to punish Iran. The United States, Britain and France -- the other veto-wielding members -- favor tougher measures.