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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What are the implications of Iran’s support for Hamas and Hezbollah on regional stability in the Middle East?
**Interview with Dr. Leila Haddad, Middle Eastern Politics Expert**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Haddad. Given the recent events, can you summarize Iran’s stance regarding the attacks on Israel and its involvement with groups like Hamas and Hezbollah?
**Dr. Haddad:** Thank you for having me. Iran has long been a supporter of Hamas, providing financial and military assistance. However, following the recent surprise attack by Hamas on Israel, Iranian officials have asserted that Iran was not directly involved. This claim is significant as it seeks to distance Tehran from the immediate conflict, even while acknowledging its ongoing support for Palestinian groups.
**Interviewer:** That’s interesting. What are the concerns regarding Hezbollah potentially opening a second front against Israel?
**Dr. Haddad:** There’s a palpable concern in both Israel and the U.S. about Hezbollah’s potential intervention. Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian indicated that any escalation would depend on Israel’s actions in Gaza. This suggests that while Iran may not directly initiate conflict, its allies like Hezbollah might feel compelled to act in defense of Palestinians if they perceive Israel’s response as excessive.
**Interviewer:** How has the U.S. responded to these developments?
**Dr. Haddad:** The U.S. has taken a cautious approach, warning Iran against getting involved. President Biden explicitly communicated to the Iranian leadership to be careful, emphasizing that any Iranian involvement could exacerbate the conflict significantly. The U.S. is trying to prevent a multi-front war that could destabilize the region further.
**Interviewer:** With Hezbollah already firing rockets into Israel and Israel retaliating, how do you see the situation evolving in the coming days?
**Dr. Haddad:** The situation is incredibly fluid. If Hezbollah continues its rocket attacks, it could lead to a full-scale confrontation. The interplay between these militant groups and state actors is complex. If Iran perceives an opportunity to support Hezbollah while maintaining plausible deniability, we could see an escalation. Nonetheless, it ultimately hinges on how Israel responds and whether it can contain the conflict within Gaza.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what role do you think regional dynamics, especially with countries like Iraq and Syria, play in this situation?
**Dr. Haddad:** Regional dynamics are crucial. Countries like Iraq and Syria are key players due to their relationships with Iran and the various militant groups. Iran’s appeal for “serious convergence” among Islamic and Arab nations suggests it’s looking to galvanize regional support against Israel. However, countries in the region are also wary of widening hostilities, especially given their own internal challenges. The conflict could very well spill over if not managed carefully.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Haddad, for your insights. It’s clear that the situation is precarious, and we will have to watch closely as it develops.
**Dr. Haddad:** Thank you for the discussion.
