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 for our 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.
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How could Hezbollah’s potential involvement in the conflict impact Israel’s military strategy and regional stability?
**Interview with Dr. Sara Mansouri, Middle Eastern Affairs Analyst**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Mansouri. Let’s dive right in. Iran claims that it was not involved in the recent Hamas attack on Israel, despite its longstanding support for the militant group. What do you make of that position?
**Dr. Mansouri:** Thank you for having me. It’s quite typical for Iran to maintain a narrative of non-involvement to stave off international backlash. They have a complex relationship with Hamas—it’s a mix of ideological alignment and pragmatic support. By distancing themselves from the attack, they can avoid further escalation with Israel and the West.
**Editor:** Given that context, how do you interpret the Iranian Foreign Minister’s comments about the potential for a new front opening in the region?
**Dr. Mansouri:** His words signal a warning. Iran is clearly indicating that their response will depend on how Israel acts in Gaza. The situation is tense, and any military response by Israel against Iranian allies like Hezbollah could lead to broader conflict. Iran does not want to be perceived as the aggressor, especially with the U.S. closely monitoring its actions.
**Editor:** Speaking of Hezbollah, there are concerns that they might become involved. How might that change the dynamics of the conflict?
**Dr. Mansouri:** If Hezbollah becomes involved, we could see a significant escalation. They have vast military capabilities and could open up a second front, which would stretch Israel’s resources and complicate the situation immensely. The U.S. has already signaled caution to Iran, showing that they’re wary of regional escalation.
**Editor:** Following the recent violence, the death toll has been devastating on both sides. What implications do you see this continuing conflict having on future Israeli-Palestinian relations?
**Dr. Mansouri:** The high casualty numbers make it increasingly difficult to foster dialogue. Each act of violence deepens the animosity and mistrust. It’s a tragic cycle where civilian casualties fuel further retaliation. For any meaningful peace process to take place, external actors need to intervene and mediate effectively, which seems challenging under the current circumstances.
**Editor:** Lastly, with Iranian President Raisi appealing to Islamic and Arab countries for collaboration against Israel, how do you see regional dynamics shifting?
**Dr. Mansouri:** Raisi’s appeal is significant. It reflects a strategy to unify support among Arab nations against Israel, leveraging shared concerns about the Palestinian plight. However, countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with whom Israel has normalized relations, might not be as willing to join the fray. The outcome will largely depend on internal politics within those nations and their respective stances on Iran.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Mansouri, for your insights on this complex and evolving situation.
**Dr. Mansouri:** Thank you for having me. It’s crucial to keep exploring the implications of these events as they unfold.