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 does the relationship between Hezbollah and Iran affect the potential for escalation in the region?
**Interview with Middle East Expert Dr. Leila Najafi on Iran’s Role in the Latest Israel-Hamas Conflict**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Najafi. In light of the recent surprise attack by Hamas on Israel, Iranian officials have emphasized that they were not involved. Could you clarify the implications of this statement?
**Dr. Najafi:** Thank you for having me. The Iranian government has a long-standing relationship with Hamas, providing support in various forms. However, their statement seeks to distance themselves from direct involvement in this specific attack, likely to avoid further escalation with Israel and the U.S. It’s a strategic move meant to deflect blame, especially given the ongoing tensions in the region.
**Interviewer:** The U.S. is concerned about a potential second front opening with Hezbollah in Lebanon. How likely is this escalation to happen?
**Dr. Najafi:** It’s a possibility. Hezbollah has the capability to engage in conflict, and given their ties to Iran, they could theoretically join the fray. However, Hezbollah’s leadership will weigh the potential costs of intervention against their strategic goals. They’ve demonstrated restraint in the past, but the situation is fluid, and any new developments could influence their calculus.
**Interviewer:** Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian mentioned that actions by Israel will determine Iran’s next steps. What does this indicate about Iran’s strategic approach?
**Dr. Najafi:** This highlights Iran’s position of leveraging regional unrest to influence their agenda. Abdollahian’s comments imply a tit-for-tat mentality, where Iran’s responses will depend on Israel’s military actions in Gaza. It exhibits a defensive posture; Iran may respond to perceived aggressions rather than initiating conflict.
**Interviewer:** President Biden’s warning to Iran has been characterized as a clear message. How effective do you think U.S. diplomatic efforts will be in this situation?
**Dr. Najafi:** The effectiveness of U.S. diplomacy largely depends on how Iran perceives its interests. The warning from President Biden is grounded in a desire to prevent the situation from escalating. Still, Iran may prioritize its support for groups like Hamas and Hezbollah over U.S. concerns, especially if they feel cornered. The complexities of regional alliances mean that simple warnings may not deter them.
**Interviewer:** President Raisi’s appeal for unity among Islamic and Arab nations showcases a rallying call against Israel. What impact might this rhetoric have on regional dynamics?
**Dr. Najafi:** This rhetoric can serve to consolidate support for Iran in the region, especially among factions that oppose Israel. It can potentially embolden militant groups and provoke increased anti-Israel sentiment. However, it can also strain relations with more moderate Arab states that may not want to get dragged into an escalation, demonstrating the delicate balance Iran must navigate in rallying support without overstepping boundaries that could lead to more significant conflict.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Najafi, for your insights into this complex situation. It certainly remains a tense and evolving situation in the Middle East.
**Dr. Najafi:** Thank you for the opportunity to discuss this critical issue.
