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 are telling 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 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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What are the potential consequences of Hezbollah’s involvement in the Israel-Hamas conflict for regional stability?
**Interview with Dr. Farhad Jahanpour, Middle East Analyst**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Dr. Jahanpour. In light of recent events, Iran has publicly stated that it was not involved in Hamas’s militant attack on Israel. How do you interpret this position?
**Dr. Jahanpour:** Thank you for having me. Iran’s denial of involvement is a key aspect of its foreign policy strategy, as it seeks to maintain plausible deniability. While Iran has historically supported Hamas, directly linking itself to this attack could escalate tensions further with Israel and the U.S. Their statement emphasizes a strategic narrative that positions Iran as a supporter of Palestinian resistance rather than as an instigator of violence.
**Editor:** That makes sense. The U.S. is concerned about a potential second front opening with Hezbollah in Lebanon. What are the implications of this for regional stability?
**Dr. Jahanpour:** The potential for Hezbollah’s involvement is significant. If Hezbollah were to engage, it could lead to a wider regional conflict, drawing in multiple actors and complicating the situation even further. This not only threatens Israel’s security, but also risks destabilizing Lebanon and other neighboring countries, potentially leading to a humanitarian crisis.
**Editor:** Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian mentioned that future options depend on Israel’s actions in Gaza. What does this imply about Iran’s approach moving forward?
**Dr. Jahanpour:** This statement signifies that Iran is adopting a reactive stance. It suggests that Iran is closely monitoring Israel’s military actions and may calibrate its response based on those developments. This is a tactical approach, allowing Iran to maintain a level of ambiguity which could be used to rally support from other Arab and Islamic nations against perceived Israeli aggression.
**Editor:** In the context of President Biden’s warnings to Iran, how crucial do you think international diplomacy will be in preventing an escalation of conflict?
**Dr. Jahanpour:** Diplomacy is absolutely critical at this juncture. The U.S. and other international actors need to engage Iran and its proxies to de-escalate the situation. A failure to do so could lead to a miscalculated response from any party involved, which might spiral into an uncontrollable conflict. The situation is already very fragile, and proactive measures are essential to stabilize the region.
**Editor:** with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi calling for unity among Islamic and Arab nations, how might this rhetoric influence the regional geopolitical landscape?
**Dr. Jahanpour:** Raisi’s call for convergence among Arab and Islamic nations could serve to strengthen alliances against Israel. This rhetoric resonates with many who feel a kinship with the Palestinian cause and could mobilize regional support. However, it also risks alienating moderate countries that are seeking a peaceful resolution and could encourage further polarization in the region.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Jahanpour, for sharing your insights. This situation is certainly complex, and we appreciate your analysis on these critical issues.
**Dr. Jahanpour:** Thank you for having me. It’s definitely a challenging time, and I hope for a peaceful resolution.
