‘Who is better to rise as a secret proxy for Iran than al-Qaeda?’

Although violent sectarianism are as old as Islam itself, the goal of defeating the common infidel enemy persists, and, of course, America is the archenemy of both al-Qaeda and Iran. Take the example of Saudi Arabia: This ostensible ally of the United States also allied with Muslim Brotherhood offshoot Hamas, despite the fact that the Saudis have outlawed the Muslim Brotherhood. Saudi Arabia also called Israel’s defense against Hamas “inhumane,” and claimed that “Israeli occupation forces” had perpetrated a “bloodbath.”

The central cause of the Muslim ummah is that of the Palestinians, as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation declared. Iran is a leading champion and financial backer in fighting for that cause. Saudi Arabia is a key member of the OIC, and it included Iran in its commitment to host Arab and Islamic summits in order to promote “peace” and discuss the Gaza conflict. The Saudi-Hamas alliance was an unlikely one, but was working toward a common cause.

The article below identifies another unlikely alliance: one between Iran and al-Qaeda if the war on Iran escalates. In 2010, the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point addressed this alliance under the same condition:

The relationship between al-Qa`ida and Iran is shrouded in mystery. Before and after the September 11 attacks on the United States, al-Qa`ida operatives transited Iran, and some found sanctuary in the country after fleeing Afghanistan in late 2001. Yet the hints of occasional operational cooperation between al-Qa`ida and Iran are outweighed by the considerable and public evidence of the deep animosity between Sunni extremist al-Qa`ida and Shi`a extremist Iran. Antipathy for each other is at the root of their ideologies and narratives, and it has been most visible in their competition for influence in Iraq and Afghanistan.

This dynamic may change, however, if the United States and Iran move toward confrontation or even conflict over the Iranian government’s nuclear weapons ambitions. As tensions between Washington and Tehran increase, Shi`a antipathy for Sunni jihadists such as al-Qa`ida and its Taliban allies may be outweighed by a desire to find ways to spoil U.S. interests in the region. Similarly, as Washington ratchets up the pressure on al-Qa`ida in Pakistan, Usama bin Ladin and al-Qa`ida may find Iran a more attractive partner. Thus, what has been a hostile relationship could become a more collaborative one.

For both Iran and al-Qaeda, despite their differences, the Muslim ummah takes precedence against America. What Islamic supremacists say to the West is often different from what they say among themselves. Deceit and taqiyya are encouraged in Islam to advance cherished causes.

“Al-Qaeda is Iran’s quiet backup if the war turns, expert says,” by Kambiz Tavana, Iran International, October 2, 2026:

Iran has spent two decades keeping al-Qaeda close as a partner it can deny, and could turn to it if the war with the United States escalates, a counterterrorism expert told Iran International. With Hezbollah and Hamas weakened, she said, it is the card Tehran has left.

Sara Harmouch, chief executive of H9 Defense and an adjunct professor at George Washington University, said the relationship is no longer a historical footnote.

“Who is better to rise as a secret proxy for Iran than al-Qaeda?” she said. “Al-Qaeda keeps a low profile and continues to maintain plausible deniability.”

Intelligence circulating in the Middle East and among the Arab states of the Persian Gulf, which US and Western officials have not confirmed, suggests that Saif al-Adel, al-Qaeda’s de facto leader, who has long been based in Iran, is preparing attacks if the war widens, Harmouch said. That would suit both sides, she said: Iran could deny involvement, and al-Qaeda could return to the world stage against Western interests.

“It’s all possible, and it’s not far-fetched,” she said. Iran, she added, had helped with the operations, funding and logistics of the September 11 attacks. “So why wouldn’t they now, especially if they’re in such a difficult situation with the war?”

The 9/11 Commission found that Iran allowed several of the hijackers to transit its territory but found no evidence that Tehran knew of the plot. A US federal court later found Iran liable…