The Islamic Republic has long been clear in its position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The political establishment’s hardline anti-Israel position has filtered into much of the religious classes of society.

However, as Amwaj.media has reported, Iranian society is divided over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This division extends to the clergy, where views that differ from the mainstream can be found. These perspectives stress the importance of protecting civilians and diverge from the establishment in respect to the possible solutions to the ongoing crisis.

Qom and the establishment’s hardline position

Qom’s seminary is the heart of the Islamic Republic. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (1900-1989), the leader of Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution, studied and lived there. Many other key clerical figures have too. The desert city, located 148 km (92 miles) south of the capital Tehran,  continues to exert a distinct influence on...