Iran’s Sacred Duty: Advocating Palestine in the Face of National Identity Challenges

The Islamic Republic of Iran’s approach to the Palestinian issue since the revolution is characterized by its complexity and intricacy. This article proposes a framework centered on the dynamic interaction between 'self and other' to analyze how identity shapes Iran's policy toward Palestine. Departing from the premise that Iran's foreign policy on this issue is influenced by multiple identities rather than a singular one, the study underscores the notion that these identities can both contest and complete each other. The research seeks the narratives articulated by Iranian elites regarding the Palestine issue. It also handles the Iran decision-maker’s discourses regarding developments after October 7, 2023, and the invasion of Gaza. While the aim is to focus on how Iran’s national identity has been tested and challenged on the Palestinian matter, the analysis also tries to illuminate how elite discourse has reshaped foreign policy narratives.