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 us for 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 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.
#Iran #opening #front #Israel #depend #actions #Gaza #Strip
**Interview with Dr. Layla Mostafa, Middle Eastern Affairs Analyst**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Mostafa. Given the recent events unfolding in the region, can you provide some context on Iran’s involvement in the ongoing conflict?
**Dr. Mostafa:** Absolutely. Though Iran has long supported Hamas in various ways, particularly through military and financial aid, Iranian officials are denying direct involvement in the latest militant attack on Israel. They’re framing their support for Hamas as a political and ideological alignment rather than direct operational involvement.
**Editor:** That’s an interesting distinction. However, there are concerns regarding Hezbollah’s potential intervention. What are the implications of this?
**Dr. Mostafa:** Right. The United States is particularly worried about a second front opening up against Israel, especially if Hezbollah decides to join the conflict. Iran’s Foreign Minister has indicated that their future actions will depend on Israel’s operations in Gaza, which suggests that retaliation or active involvement could be on the table based on those actions.
**Editor:** Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian mentioned that “no one in the region asks us for permission to open new fronts.” How does this statement reflect the regional dynamics at play?
**Dr. Mostafa:** This reflects a significant aspect of Iran’s stance in the region. While Iran supports groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, they also want to maintain a semblance of autonomy over their involvement. The statement suggests that regional actors are taking their own initiatives and that Iran cannot completely control or predict the actions of its allies.
**Editor:** The civilian toll on both sides has been devastating. Hamas claims significant casualties in Israel, while Israeli strikes have resulted in thousands of deaths in Gaza. How does the international community view these developments?
**Dr. Mostafa:** The international community is indeed concerned about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. While nations like the US are quick to condemn Hamas’s actions, they’re also issuing warnings to Iran about not escalating the conflict further. There’s a fine line being walked regarding support for Israel’s right to defend itself and the dire humanitarian impact of such defenses.
**Editor:** President Biden’s warning to Iran also highlights growing tensions in U.S.-Iran relations. What does this mean for U.S. policy in the region moving forward?
**Dr. Mostafa:** Biden’s warning is a clear signal that the U.S. is closely monitoring Iran’s actions and will respond strongly to any escalation. This suggests a continued commitment to support Israel militarily while also attempting to engage Iran diplomatically to avoid a broader conflict. However, the situation remains precarious, and the next few weeks will be critical.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Mostafa, for shedding light on these complex issues. Your insights are invaluable as we navigate this rapidly evolving situation.
**Dr. Mostafa:** Thank you for having me. The region is fraught with tension, and it’s crucial for the international community to remain engaged.