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 has restricted the entry of goods into the territory and their departure from it 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 the potential for increased collaboration among Iran and its allies impact the overall stability of the Middle East?
**Interview with Dr. Fatima Alavi, Middle East Analyst**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Alavi. Given the recent surge in violence following Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel and the complex dynamics in the region, what is your perspective on Iran’s position regarding these events?
**Dr. Alavi:** Thank you for having me. Iran has historically supported groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, yet officials have been very clear in distancing themselves from the recent militant actions, particularly the attack that took place on Saturday. They assert that Iran was not involved, which is an important message to convey both domestically and to their counterparts in the region.
**Editor:** Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian mentioned that Tehran’s future options depend on “the actions of the Zionist regime in Gaza.” What does this imply for the potential escalation of conflict in the region?
**Dr. Alavi:** It suggests that Iran is positioning itself as a key player in the response to Israel’s actions in Gaza. By indicating that the future of conflict depends on Israel’s behavior, Iran is effectively placing the onus on Israel, potentially justifying any retaliatory actions from their allies in response to what they deem as aggression. This strategic ambiguity could be a signal to both allies and adversaries that Iran is ready to act should the situation escalate.
**Editor:** The possibility of a second front opening with Hezbollah has the international community concerned. How do you see Hezbollah’s role evolving in the context of this recent conflict?
**Dr. Alavi:** Hezbollah has been increasingly vocal and active, particularly following Israel’s retaliatory strikes in Gaza. They’ve already fired rockets toward Israel, suggesting a willingness to engage in conflict if provoked. The group’s leadership is likely weighing their options carefully; they want to support Hamas without overcommitting themselves to a wider conflict that could have severe repercussions for Lebanon.
**Editor:** The Biden administration has warned Iran to be cautious. How do you think Iran will respond to these warnings?
**Dr. Alavi:** Iran has demonstrated a history of defying external pressures, so they might continue to assert their influence in the region while carefully calibrating their responses to avoid a direct confrontation with the U.S. They value their role in supporting groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, but they are also acutely aware of the geopolitical landscape and the potential consequences of escalating tensions. This balancing act will be crucial for them in the coming days.
**Editor:** with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi calling for unity among Islamic and Arab countries to counter Israel, what can we expect in terms of regional alliances?
**Dr. Alavi:** There’s a possibility of increased collaboration among Iran and its allies, especially if tensions rise further. However, the extent of that alliance will heavily depend on how other countries in the region respond. Many, including those in the Gulf, are wary of Iran’s influence. Thus, while we might see rhetoric aimed at unifying Islamic nations, the practical cooperation will depend on aligning interests, which are often fragmented in this landscape.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Alavi, for your insights into this complex and evolving situation. Your perspective adds a vital understanding of the regional dynamics at play.