Although Tehran has long supported Hamas, Iranian officials say their country was not involved in Saturday’s militant attack on its arch-enemy, Israel.
Nevertheless, the United States fears that a second front could open up on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon if Hezbollah, another well-armed Islamist group backed by Iran, intervenes.
“Officials from some countries are approaching us and asking about the possibility of a new front opening (against Israel) in the region,” Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian said during a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al Sudani. Shia Sudan).
“We tell them that our clear answer regarding future options is this: everything depends on the actions of the Zionist regime in Gaza,” he said, according to a statement from Iran’s foreign ministry.
“Even now, Israel’s crimes continue, and no one in the region asks us for permission to open new fronts,” the minister said.
Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on Saturday, invading its territory and launching rocket attacks. Israel carried out retaliatory strikes on the Gaza Strip. Hamas militants killed 1.2 thousand people in Israel. people, mostly civilians, and took about 150 hostages. Israeli strikes on Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip claimed more than 1,400 lives. people’s lives.
Since Saturday, the West has been cautious about Iran, but its leaders have warned Tehran in no uncertain terms against intervening in the war.
US President Joe Biden (Joe Biden) said on Wednesday that he “made it clear to the Iranians: Be careful”.
H. Amir-Abdollahian will travel to Lebanon from Iraq. Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group, said on Wednesday it had fired rockets into Israel, which shelled southern Lebanon.
There were similar reports earlier this week.
Speaking to his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi appealed to “all Islamic and Arab countries” for “serious convergence and cooperation to stop the Zionist regime’s crimes against the oppressed Palestinian people.”
Hamas is the Palestinian militant group that rules the Gaza Strip and has been involved in several wars with Israel since taking over the Gaza Strip in 2007. The group has been recognized as a terrorist by Israel, the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and some other countries.
Hamas is supported by Iran, financing the acquisition of weapons, supplying them and providing military training. Hamas has a political office in Qatar, where some of its leaders are based.
2.3 million people live in the Gaza Strip. people, but Israel, with the help of Egypt, has imposed a blockade on the territory since 2007 – it has restricted the entry of goods into the territory and their departure from it by water, sea or air, as well as the ability of the Palestinians themselves to leave the territory, except for a few tens of thousands of workers.
Israel’s military announced earlier Thursday that it was preparing for a ground offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, but the country’s political leaders have yet to make a decision.
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– How could the potential engagement of Hezbollah in the conflict impact regional stability?
**Interview with Dr. Amir Nikoo, Middle East Analyst**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Nikoo. There’s been significant talk around Iran’s involvement in the recent Hamas attacks on Israel. How does Iran officially position itself regarding this incident?
**Dr. Nikoo:** Thank you for having me. Officially, Iran has distanced itself from the recent Hamas attacks, claiming that there was no direct involvement from their side. Iranian officials emphasize their support for Hamas, highlighting the complex, historical relationship between the groups, but they assert that Hamas acted independently in this particular instance.
**Editor:** There are concerns about Hezbollah potentially opening a second front against Israel from Lebanon. What factors are influencing these discussions?
**Dr. Nikoo:** The situation is precarious. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, stated that the opening of new fronts in the region would depend on Israel’s actions in Gaza. The interplay between Hezbollah’s capabilities and the responses from Israel creates a highly volatile environment. With the recent hostilities, any escalation could lead to broader regional conflict.
**Editor:** How is the U.S. responding to these developments, especially with respect to Iran?
**Dr. Nikoo:** The United States has issued strong warnings to Iran against any form of escalation in the conflict. President Biden’s message was clear—there’s a sense of urgency in the air. The U.S. is apprehensive about any Iranian provocation that might involve Hezbollah, given the group’s ability to project military power in a conflict scenario.
**Editor:** What are the broader implications of this conflict for the Middle East, particularly regarding Iran’s role?
**Dr. Nikoo:** The implications are significant. An escalation involving Hezbollah could lead to a wider regional war and complicate relationships among various countries in the Middle East. Iran is positioning itself as a leader in the resistance against Israel, which could embolden other militant factions and affect regional stability.
**Editor:** what can we expect to see in the coming days or weeks based on the current situation?
**Dr. Nikoo:** The coming days will be crucial. If Israel intensifies its military response to Hamas, and if Hezbollah decides to fully engage, we may witness a broader conflict that draws in various state and non-state actors. Iran’s diplomatic maneuvers, particularly in Lebanon and Syria, will also be key in shaping the unfolding events.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Dr. Nikoo. It’s a volatile situation, and we appreciate your perspective.
