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 factors contribute to Iran’s strategic decision to deny involvement in Hamas’s recent attacks, according to Dr. Farah Nazari?
**Interview with Dr. Farah Nazari, Middle East Affairs Analyst**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Dr. Nazari. Given the recent escalation in violence between Hamas and Israel and Iran’s longstanding support for Hamas, how should we interpret Iran’s claim that it was not involved in the recent attacks?
**Dr. Nazari:** Thank you for having me. Iran’s denial of direct involvement is not surprising, considering its strategic posture in the region. While Tehran supports Hamas ideologically and materially, it often distances itself from specific operations to maintain plausible deniability. This allows Iran to assert influence without directly provoking military retaliation from Israel or the U.S.
**Editor:** Right. The U.S. has expressed concerns about a possible second front opening with Hezbollah in Lebanon. How likely is that scenario?
**Dr. Nazari:** It’s a significant concern. Hezbollah’s involvement could complicate the situation further, particularly if they interpret Israel’s actions in Gaza as an opportunity to attack. Iran’s Foreign Minister’s statement indicates that any decisions about a new front depend on Israel’s actions. If Israel continues aggressive operations, Hezbollah may feel compelled to respond, escalating the conflict.
**Editor:** We’ve seen heavy casualties reported on both sides since the conflict reignited. How does this impact the wider regional dynamics, especially in terms of alliances?
**Dr. Nazari:** The civilian toll is tragic and can lead to heightened anger and mobilization across the region. Protests against Israel’s actions could prompt more radical factions to assert their influence. The call from Iranian President Raisi for “serious convergence” among Arab nations reflects a growing desire for unity against perceived Israeli aggression. This could either solidify alliances within the resistance axis of Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas or create friction among other Arab states that may prefer diplomatic solutions.
**Editor:** Lastly, with leaders in the West, including President Biden, warning Iran, what steps do you think Iran might take to navigate this international pressure?
**Dr. Nazari:** Iran is likely to tread carefully. It will continue to support its proxies verbally and through resources while avoiding direct confrontation with Israel or the U.S. Tehran understands that any overt military action could invite severe consequences. Instead, they may focus on diplomatic efforts with allies to strengthen support against Israel while fostering a narrative of defending Palestinian rights, which resonates with a significant segment of the Muslim world.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Nazari, for your insights on this complex situation. We appreciate your expertise.
**Dr. Nazari:** Thank you for having me. It’s crucial to keep a close watch on these developments.
