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 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 Hezbollah’s potential involvement in the conflict impact regional stability, according to Dr. Zareh?
**Interview with Dr. Sahar Zareh, Middle East Analyst**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Zareh. With the recent developments surrounding the conflict between Hamas and Israel, what can you tell us about Iran’s stance on this situation, especially in light of Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian’s recent statements?
**Dr. Zareh:** Thank you for having me. Iran’s official position, as stated by Abdollahian, suggests that while there’s long-standing support for Hamas, they are attempting to distance themselves from the recent attacks on Israel. This is a strategic move to maintain a level of plausible deniability while managing their regional influence.
**Editor:** Abdollahian mentioned that new fronts depend on Israel’s actions in Gaza. How should we interpret this comment in the context of regional dynamics?
**Dr. Zareh:** His statement reflects Iran’s conditional approach to involvement in the conflict. It signals that Iranian responses or interventions would be contingent on Israel’s military actions. This is a critical factor because it underscores Iran’s interests in responding strategically rather than impulsively.
**Editor:** The U.S. has expressed concerns about Hezbollah potentially opening a second front against Israel. What risks does this pose for the region?
**Dr. Zareh:** The possibility of Hezbollah joining the conflict significantly escalates the tension in the region. If they choose to engage Israel more directly, it could lead to a wider regional war, drawing in multiple players and further destabilizing Lebanon and beyond. The U.S. is right to be cautious, as an expanded conflict could have severe repercussions globally.
**Editor:** Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has called for cooperation among Arab and Islamic nations to address Israeli actions. How does this dialogue affect regional unity?
**Dr. Zareh:** Raisi’s call for unity is indicative of Iran’s desire to position itself as a leader of the resistance against Israel. However, the real challenge lies in translating this rhetoric into cohesive action among diverse Arab states, many of which have differing priorities and views on relations with Israel.
**Editor:** with the backdrop of the U.S. warning Iran to be careful, how do you see Iran’s next steps impacting international relations?
**Dr. Zareh:** Iran is likely to tread carefully to avoid direct confrontation with the U.S. while still supporting its allies like Hamas and Hezbollah. The Iranian leadership will want to assert its influence without provoking a direct military response from the West, especially the U.S. They are balancing on a tightrope of regional ambition and the risk of wider conflict.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Zareh, for your insights into this complex and rapidly evolving situation.
**Dr. Zareh:** Thank you for having me. The developments will certainly require close observation in the coming weeks.
