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 are the possible long-term effects of Iran’s non-involvement claim on its relationships with other regional powers?
**Interview with Dr. Leila Rahimi, Middle East Analyst**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Rahimi. Following the recent escalation of violence following Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel, Iran has stated it was not involved. How do you interpret Iran’s position amidst these developments?
**Dr. Rahimi:** Thank you for having me. Iran’s claim of non-involvement is strategically significant, especially considering its longstanding support for Hamas. By distancing itself from the attack, Iran aims to avoid immediate repercussions while still maintaining its influence over groups like Hezbollah, which could potentially open a second front against Israel.
**Editor:** Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian highlighted that future actions would depend on Israel’s response. How does this rhetoric reflect Tehran’s strategy?
**Dr. Rahimi:** This rhetoric is a classic example of Iran’s calculated approach to regional conflicts. By framing its potential actions as a response to Israel’s alleged “crimes,” Iran positions itself as a defender of the Palestinian cause, appealing to other Arab and Islamic nations. It also gives Iran the flexibility to respond based on the evolving situation, without committing to specific military actions right away.
**Editor:** With the U.S. warning Iran to “be careful,” what potential implications do you foresee for Iranian involvement in the conflict?
**Dr. Rahimi:** The U.S. warning highlights the delicate balance of power in the region. Iran must weigh its support for Palestinian groups against the likelihood of a direct confrontation with the U.S. or Israel. If Hezbollah escalates its involvement, it could lead to a broader conflict, drawing in Iran more directly. However, it appears that Iran is currently trying to navigate the situation carefully to avoid direct confrontation.
**Editor:** Hezbollah’s recent rocket fire into Israel adds another layer of complexity. What do you think motivates this involvement, and how might it affect the broader conflict?
**Dr. Rahimi:** Hezbollah’s rocket fire serves multiple purposes. It signals solidarity with Hamas and the Palestinian struggle while also showcasing its military capability to both its domestic audience and to Israel. This kind of involvement could significantly escalate tensions, leading Israel to retaliate further, which might provoke a full-scale conflict involving multiple actors in the region.
**Editor:** Lastly, what role do you think regional alliances and coming diplomatic discussions will play in the unfolding situation?
**Dr. Rahimi:** Regional alliances are crucial at this juncture. Iran is attempting to foster greater unity among Islamic and Arab states against Israel, as demonstrated in President Raisi’s appeals. Diplomatic discussions in the coming days will be vital; they could either help to de-escalate tensions or further entrench positions depending on how neighboring countries respond to the ongoing violence and the roles they choose to play.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Rahimi, for your insights. The situation remains tense and dynamic, and we’ll continue to monitor developments closely.
