The relationship between Iran and the leaders of Al-Qaeda dates back to years ago and was reinforced after the 9/11 events in 2001. However, documents found by US forces after the founder of the organization of Osama bin Laden was killed in his hideout in Abbottabad, Pakistan, in 2011, revealed further than that, as these documents highlighted that the organization was moving comfortably inside Iran.

Over the years, the reasons why the Iranian regime had its arms open to «Al-Qaeda» leaders remained a part of the puzzling mysteries of the political game, even for specialists in Iranian affairs. From the military official of the organization Saif al-Adel, to Bin Laden’s daughter husband Suleiman Abu Ghaith, Saad Bin Laden, al-Qaeda advisor Abu al-Walid al-Masri, Abu Hafs al-Mauritani, Abu Laith al-Libi and the alleged mastermind of the bombing of US embassies in east Africa in 1998 Abu Mohammed al-Masri, dozens of leaders of the organization have lived under the protection of the «Revolutionary Guards» in Tehran and other Iranian cities.

Iran has sought to keep Al Qaeda’s card and use in time of need; a theory which is considered validated for some people. But in 2014, something came out to expose the dark side in Tehran’s relations with «al-Qaeda» men. On 11 May of that year, a website linked to IS posted a voice message of the official spokesman for the organization, Abu Muhammad al-Adnani entitled «Apologies Amir al-Qaeda », during which al-Adnani attacked Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri, who is Bin Laden’s replacement. The charges needed no interpretation because part of the message carried the title of “Iran’s Heavy Debt to Al-Qaeda”.

In the recording, al-Adnani admitted that IS did not target Iran at the quest of al-Qaeda to preserve its (al-Qaeda’s) interests and logistics.

“ISIS followed the guidance of al-Jihad sheikhs and symbols, so it did not strike the Shiites in Iran since its inception, and left Raafidis safe in Iran. It reined back its infuriated soldiers despite their ability, at the time, to fill Iran with pools of blood. It swallowed its anger all these years bearing accusations of treachery for not targeting its worst enemies, leaving the Raafidis enjoying security pursuant to Al Qaeda’s order to maintain its interests and lines of supply in Iran », al-Adnani said.