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. The Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah said on Wednesday it had fired rockets into Israel, which had 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 acquisition 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 specific role does Dr. Samira Faghihi believe Iran plays in the current conflict between Hamas and Israel?
**Interview with Dr. Samira Faghihi, Middle East Analyst**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Faghihi. With the recent escalation following Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel and the subsequent retaliatory strikes, how significant is Iran’s role in this conflict given their long-standing support for Hamas?
**Dr. Faghihi:** Thank you for having me. Iran has indeed provided support to Hamas over the years, but as Iranian officials have reiterated, they claim not to have been involved in the latest attack. This points to a complex web of regional dynamics. Iran might not be directly involved militarily in this incident, but it certainly influences the situation through its support for groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
**Editor:** Speaking of Hezbollah, there seems to be concern about a second front opening in the north with Lebanon. How do you assess that risk?
**Dr. Faghihi:** The risk is quite real. Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian’s comments suggest that Iran is closely monitoring Israel’s actions in Gaza, which they see as a determining factor for any future escalation. Hezbollah has already initiated rocket fire into Israel, indicating they are willing to engage. If the situation deteriorates further, we could indeed see Hezbollah escalate its involvement, creating a multi-front conflict for Israel.
**Editor:** The U.S. has expressed caution towards Iran while issuing warnings against intervention. How do you think Iran is likely to respond to these warnings?
**Dr. Faghihi:** Iran’s leadership, particularly under President Raisi, has been vocal about calling for solidarity among Islamic and Arab nations against Israel. However, they must tread carefully. On one hand, they want to show strength and support for their allies. On the other, the risk of provoking U.S. and international backlash means they need to consider their moves strategically. Any overt military action could lead to significant consequences for Iran on many levels.
**Editor:** Lastly, how do you think this evolving situation affects broader dynamics in the Middle East, particularly concerning Arab nations?
**Dr. Faghihi:** This conflict has potential ripple effects across the region. Many Arab nations are concerned about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which might lead to increased public pressure on their governments to take a stand. Additionally, Iran’s call for unity could appeal to some countries, but others may fear that a more aggressive Iranian posture aims to expand their influence. The situation is fluid, and we might witness shifts in alliances and strategies as this conflict unfolds.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Faghihi, for your insights. The situation certainly remains tense and complex.
**Dr. Faghihi:** My pleasure, thank you for having me.
