Although Tehran has long supported Hamas, Iranian officials insist 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 purchase 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 restricted the import of goods to and from the territory 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.
#Iran #opening #front #Israel #depend #actions #Gaza #Strip
What are the implications of Iran’s denial of involvement in the recent Hamas attack for the country’s diplomatic relations in the region?
**Interview with Dr. Farah Alavi, Middle East Affairs Expert**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Alavi. The recent escalation between Hamas and Israel has drawn widespread concern, especially regarding Iran’s role. Iran has maintained that it wasn’t directly involved in the Hamas attack on Israel. How do you interpret this stance?
**Dr. Alavi:** Thank you for having me. Iran’s denial of involvement in the recent Hamas attack serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it allows Iran to maintain its strategic support of Hamas without direct accountability. By distancing itself from the violence, Iran can continue to project power in the region while avoiding the full brunt of international backlash. This tactical ambiguity is typical of Tehran’s approach to its proxy relationships.
**Interviewer:** The U.S. has expressed fears about a potential second front opening in the north with Hezbollah. How credible is this threat, and what factors could trigger Hezbollah’s involvement?
**Dr. Alavi:** The threat of a second front is quite credible given Hezbollah’s longstanding ties to Iran and its ideological commitment to supporting Palestinian factions. Should the situation in Gaza escalate further—particularly if Israeli operations lead to significant civilian casualties—Hezbollah may feel compelled to respond militarily. The dynamics between public sentiment and political leadership within Lebanon also play a critical role here. Any significant response from Iran or direct provocations from Israel could push Hezbollah into action.
**Interviewer:** Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian has stated that “everything depends on the actions of the Zionist regime in Gaza.” What does this imply about Iran’s decision-making process regarding military action?
**Dr. Alavi:** This statement indicates that Iran is highly reactive and strategically calculating. It suggests that Iran will evaluate Israel’s military actions and responses in Gaza before deciding whether to escalate its involvement. Such a conditional approach allows Tehran to frame its potential actions as defensive rather than offensive, thereby justifying intervention to its domestic and international audiences.
**Interviewer:** President Biden has warned Iran to ”be careful.” What are the implications of this warning for U.S.-Iran relations and regional stability?
**Dr. Alavi:** President Biden’s warning underscores the delicate balance the U.S. must maintain in the region. While the U.S. aims to deter Iran from deepening its involvement, it must also navigate its relationships with allies like Israel and oppose Tehran’s influence in the region tactically. This rhetoric could lead to heightened tensions, and if misunderstandings occur or miscalculations are made, it may result in further conflict, affecting regional stability significantly.
**Interviewer:** with President Raisi calling for unity among Islamic and Arab nations, what potential shifts could we see in regional alliances?
**Dr. Alavi:** Raisi’s call is a tactic to rally support against Israel and strengthen Iran’s influence among Arab nations, especially in light of the Palestinian struggle. While traditional alliances may shift, especially among nations like Syria and Hezbollah, there is a growing public and governmental discourse in some Arab countries about normalizing relations with Israel. The outcomes are unpredictable but could either reinforce Iran’s alliances or lead to a re-alignment if Arab nations prioritize their own national interests over ideological solidarity.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Alavi, for your insights. The situation remains complex and very fluid. We appreciate your expertise on this pressing issue.
**Dr. Alavi:** Thank you for the opportunity to discuss this critical topic.
