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 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. 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 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 denial of involvement in the Hamas attack for their reputation in the Middle East?
**Interview with Dr. Sara Khalil, Middle East Analyst**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Khalil. There has been a lot of discussion surrounding Iran’s involvement in the recent Hamas attack on Israel. Iranian officials have stated that they were not involved. What do you make of this claim?
**Dr. Khalil:** Thank you for having me. Yes, Iranian officials have denied direct involvement in the recent Hamas attack. Historically, Iran has supported Hamas politically and financially, but they often walk a fine line, especially when international scrutiny is high. This denial could be an attempt to distance themselves from immediate responsibility while still maintaining their position as a regional power supporting resistance against Israel.
**Interviewer:** The U.S. has expressed concerns about the potential for a second front opening with Hezbollah in Lebanon. How likely do you think this is, and what factors are at play?
**Dr. Khalil:** The possibility of Hezbollah opening a front in the north is increasingly concerning, especially given the group’s history of military engagement with Israel. However, it largely depends on Iran’s calculus and how the situation evolves in Gaza. As Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian mentioned, Iran’s response will depend on Israel’s actions. If they feel that Israeli operations are excessively aggressive or threaten Iranian interests, we might see Hezbollah intervene more directly.
**Interviewer:** What impact do you think the current escalation will have on regional stability, especially with President Biden warning Iran to “be careful”?
**Dr. Khalil:** This situation significantly heightens the risk for broader conflict in the region. U.S. warnings to Iran signal a clear intent to deter further escalation. However, with ongoing violence, both Iran and its proxies might feel pressured to act. The potential for miscalculation is high; an aggressive response from any side could spiral into a wider conflict, drawing in various regional and global players.
**Interviewer:** Iran’s President Raisi has called for convergence among Islamic and Arab nations to address what he termed “Zionist crimes.” How does this rhetoric reflect the broader regional dynamics?
**Dr. Khalil:** Raisi’s appeal for unity among Islamic nations taps into a shared sentiment among many in the region who feel a responsibility towards the Palestinian cause. It highlights a unifying theme against Israel, but the actual implementation of such convergence is complex. Different countries have varying interests and views on how to address the Israeli-Palestinian issue. However, we can expect that this rhetoric will resonate with groups and governments that are already inclined toward solidarity with the Palestinians.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Khalil, for your insights on this critical issue.
**Dr. Khalil:** Thank you for having me. The situation continues to evolve, and it’s vital to keep an eye on how regional dynamics are shifting.
