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 is Dr. Leila Khouri’s perspective on Iran’s claim of non-involvement in the recent Hamas attack on Israel?
**Interview with Dr. Leila Khouri, Middle East Affairs Expert**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Khouri. In light of recent events, Iran has stated that it was not involved in the recent Hamas attack on Israel. How credible do you find this claim?
**Dr. Khouri:** Thank you for having me. Iran’s support for Hamas is well-documented, but their denial of involvement in this specific attack can be seen as a strategic move. By distancing themselves, they may be trying to avoid direct confrontation with Israel and the West while still maintaining a semblance of support for Palestinian causes.
**Interviewer:** The U.S. has expressed concerns about possible intervention from Hezbollah in the north. What implications would such a development have for the region?
**Dr. Khouri:** If Hezbollah were to open a second front against Israel, it would significantly escalate tensions not only in Israel but across the region. The risk of a larger conflict drawing in multiple countries and non-state actors would be very high. The region has already been fragile, and the implications of a broader war could lead to a humanitarian disaster and increased instability.
**Interviewer:** Iran’s Foreign Minister has stated that whether new fronts open depends on Israel’s actions in Gaza. How does this position Iran’s influence in the conflict?
**Dr. Khouri:** This statement underscores Iran’s role as a regional power broker. It highlights the strategy of using proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah to exert influence without directly engaging in conflicts. They are effectively signaling to their adversaries that they are willing to act based on Israel’s military actions, which serves to enhance their bargaining power in the region.
**Interviewer:** The American response has been to warn Iran of potential consequences. How effective do you think these warnings will be?
**Dr. Khouri:** U.S. warnings have historically had mixed results in the region. While they may have some deterrent effect, Iran has frequently demonstrated its willingness to act in its own strategic interests. The effectiveness of U.S. warnings will depend on how they are backed up by policy and action, particularly in a situation so volatile and complex.
**Interviewer:** As we see President Raisi calling for solidarity among Islamic and Arab nations, what might this mean for regional alliances?
**Dr. Khouri:** Raisi’s call for convergence suggests an attempt to unify Arab and Islamic nations against Israel, potentially strengthening ties among these groups. However, the effectiveness of this coalition depends on existing rivalries and political dynamics within the region. While some nations may rally under this banner, others may remain hesitant due to their own geopolitical interests.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Khouri, for your insights into this ever-evolving situation.
**Dr. Khouri:** Thank you for having me. It’s crucial to continue monitoring these developments as they unfold.