Although Tehran has long supported Hamas, Iranian officials insist 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.
#Iran #opening #front #Israel #depend #actions #Gaza #Strip
What potential actions could the U.S. take in response to Iran’s involvement in the escalating conflict in the Middle East?
**Interview with Dr. Layla Khosravi, Middle East Analyst**
**Editor:** Dr. Khosravi, thank you for joining us. Given the recent developments, how would you characterize Iran’s position in light of the recent Hamas attacks on Israel?
**Dr. Khosravi:** Thank you for having me. Iran has long supported Hamas, but they are distancing themselves from the actual violence of the recent attacks. Their officials are asserting that while they back the Palestinian resistance, they were not directly involved in the planning or execution of Saturday’s assault. This is an interesting balancing act for Tehran, as they need to maintain their influence in the region without provoking a direct confrontation with Israel or the U.S.
**Editor:** There are concerns about the potential for Hezbollah to open a second front against Israel. What do you think the implications of that would be?
**Dr. Khosravi:** The potential involvement of Hezbollah in this conflict raises serious alarm bells. If Hezbollah decides to engage, Israel could be forced to divide its military focus, leading to a significant escalation in the region. Iran’s Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian hinted that future actions would depend on Israel’s moves in Gaza, indicating Tehran’s strategic calculus to possibly leverage other groups in response to the situation.
**Editor:** It’s reported that U.S. President Joe Biden has warned Iran to be cautious. What does this suggest about U.S.-Iran relations moving forward?
**Dr. Khosravi:** Biden’s warning highlights the fragile nature of U.S.-Iran relations. Washington is clearly wary of Iranian influence and its ability to destabilize the region further. The U.S. will likely adopt a more aggressive stance, including increased military preparedness and diplomatic measures to deter Iran from expanding its involvement in this conflict.
**Editor:** Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has called for cooperation among Islamic and Arab nations against Israel. How might this influence regional dynamics?
**Dr. Khosravi:** Raisi’s appeal underscores the ongoing Arab-Israeli tensions and attempts to unify regional powers under the Palestinian cause. However, the likelihood of a cohesive front is uncertain, given the varying interests and strategies among Arab nations. Some might support the resistance in principle but could also be wary of the potential fallout from direct confrontation with Israel and its allies.
**Editor:** what should we be watching for in the coming days and weeks regarding this situation?
**Dr. Khosravi:** We should keep an eye on Hezbollah’s actions and any shifts in the Iranian military posture. The response from Israel, as well as any new developments in Gaza, will be crucial indicators of how this conflict could escalate. Additionally, international diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation will be critical to watch, as the region’s stability hangs in the balance.