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 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 might the involvement of Hezbollah impact U.S. strategies in the Middle East?
**Interview with Dr. Sara Azami, Middle East Analyst**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Azami. Given the recent developments in the region, can you help us understand Iran’s position regarding the recent Hamas attack on Israel?
**Dr. Azami:** Thank you for having me. Iran has historically supported Hamas, but its officials have been clear in recent statements that they were not involved in the planning or execution of the recent attack on Israel. Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian emphasized that any escalation in hostilities would depend on Israel’s actions in Gaza.
**Interviewer:** That’s an interesting point. How does this align with U.S. concerns about a potential conflict with Hezbollah along Israel’s northern border?
**Dr. Azami:** The U.S. is rightfully wary. If Hezbollah decides to intervene, that could certainly open a second front against Israel. Abdollahian hinted that Iran and its allies are aware of this potential and are watching closely how Israel responds. He mentioned, “no one in the region asks for our permission,” indicating that any aggressive moves would be self-driven by the situation.
**Interviewer:** In light of these tensions, what was the significance of President Biden’s recent warning to Iran?
**Dr. Azami:** President Biden’s message is an attempt to deter any Iranian escalation in the conflict. By stating “be careful,” he is signaling that the U.S. will closely monitor Iran’s actions and will respond accordingly if they intervene militarily. It’s part of broader U.S. efforts to contain Iranian influence in the region.
**Interviewer:** What implications do you think this has for the stability of the region going forward?
**Dr. Azami:** The situation is precarious. Both sides seem poised for escalation, and the involvement of both Iran and Hezbollah could lead to a larger regional conflict. However, the dynamics are also influenced by international diplomacy, especially from countries that are trying to mediate and prevent an all-out war.
**Interviewer:** what role do you believe countries like Iraq and Syria play in this evolving situation?
**Dr. Azami:** Iraq is trying to maintain its own stability while being caught between influences from both the U.S. and Iran. Syria, under Assad, is looking to strengthen ties with Iran, which can be a double-edged sword. They could either stabilize the situation through cooperation or exacerbate existing tensions. Ultimately, these nations will have to navigate a very complex landscape as alliances shift.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Azami, for your insights on this pressing issue.
**Dr. Azami:** Thank you for having me.