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.
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What role does Iran’s historical support for Hamas play in the current conflict dynamics in the Middle East?
**Interview with Dr. Leila Mansouri, Middle East Analyst at the Institute for Global Affairs**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Mansouri. There’s been significant tension following Hamas’s recent attack on Israel. What’s your take on Iran’s denial of involvement despite its historical support for Hamas?
**Dr. Mansouri:** Thank you for having me. It is indeed a complex situation. Iran has publicly distanced itself from the direct involvement in the recent attacks to avoid potential backlash and military confrontation with Israel and its allies. By maintaining this narrative, Iran can still support its proxy groups, such as Hamas, without directly escalating the conflict to a point where they become a target for retaliation themselves.
**Editor:** The United States is concerned about a potential second front opening with Hezbollah in Lebanon. How do you see this developing?
**Dr. Mansouri:** If Hezbollah decides to join the conflict, it could dramatically change the landscape of the situation. Iran’s Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian has indicated that future actions would depend highly on Israel’s moves in Gaza. The rhetoric suggests that while Iran prefers not to escalate the conflict, it will not hesitate to support its allies if it perceives that Israel’s actions are excessively violent or threatening.
**Editor:** Abdollahian mentioned that “no one in the region asks us for permission to open new fronts.” What does this indicate about Iran’s influence in the Middle East?
**Dr. Mansouri:** This statement underscores Iran’s perception of itself as a regional power with significant influence over its allies. However, it also highlights the tensions within the region, where various factions may act independently based on their interests. This could lead to an unpredictable situation where actions taken by one group affect the wider dynamics without prior coordination.
**Editor:** President Biden’s warning to Iran seems to suggest the U.S. is closely monitoring the situation. What implications does this have for U.S.-Iran relations moving forward?
**Dr. Mansouri:** The U.S. is clearly signaling that any act of aggression from Iran or its proxies will not be tolerated. This may lead to an increased military presence in the region, aimed at deterring further escalations. However, such warnings can also exacerbate tensions, making it harder for both sides to de-escalate. The future of U.S.-Iran relations will heavily depend on whether Iran chooses to escalate its involvement or maintain a more cautious stance.
**Editor:** As the region continues to grapple with violence, what do you anticipate in terms of diplomatic efforts or negotiations?
**Dr. Mansouri:** The path forward is uncertain. Mahmoud Abbas’s Palestinian Authority has been sidelined, and the focus is on Hamas and other militant groups. While diplomatic efforts may be initiated by regional players, such as Iraq or Lebanon, the effectiveness of these efforts will depend on the willingness of all parties to compromise. Ultimately, without a clear peace process and a reduction in hostilities, the cycle of violence may continue.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Mansouri, for your insights on this important issue. We hope for a peaceful resolution in the turbulent times ahead.
**Dr. Mansouri:** Thank you for having me. Let’s hope for peace in the region.
