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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How does the recent U.S. stance on Iran’s activities affect the potential for regional escalation involving groups like Hezbollah?
**Interview with Dr. Farah Khosravi, Middle East Policy Expert**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Khosravi. Recent events have intensified fears of a broader conflict involving Iran, Israel, and regional militant groups. Can you provide us with some context regarding Iran’s involvement, particularly in relation to the recent Hamas attack on Israel?
**Dr. Khosravi:** Thank you for having me. Indeed, tensions have escalated significantly. While Iran has historically supported Hamas, Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, have publicly stated that Iran was not involved in the recent attack on Israel. This denial may be strategic, aiming to maintain a degree of plausible deniability while still asserting their backing of Palestinian causes.
**Editor:** The U.S. has expressed concerns about the potential for Hezbollah to intervene as a second front against Israel. How likely is that, and what could trigger such a move?
**Dr. Khosravi:** The possibility of Hezbollah opening a second front is a genuine concern. The group is heavily armed and aligned with Iranian interests. Tensions between Hezbollah and Israel escalated when Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel, which in turn faced retaliatory strikes. If Iran perceives that its interests or allies are in significant danger due to Israeli actions, it could instruct Hezbollah to escalate its involvement. Abdollahian’s remarks indicate that Iranian options heavily depend on Israeli actions in Gaza, highlighting a reactive rather than proactive stance.
**Editor:** There seems to be a delicate balance of power in play, especially with the U.S. issuing warnings to Iran. What impact do you think that U.S. stance will have on the dynamics in the region?
**Dr. Khosravi:** The U.S. warning is a crucial factor, as it aims to deter Iranian escalation while maintaining support for Israel. However, the effectiveness of such warnings can vary. Iran has historically pursued its strategic interests despite external pressure, and U.S. statements may not significantly alter Tehran’s calculations. Yet, they might reinforce some restraint, as neither Iran nor Hezbollah wants to engage in a direct, wide-ranging confrontation that could attract broader international military involvement.
**Editor:** Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi called for convergence among Islamic and Arab countries to combat what he termed “Zionist crimes.” How might this rhetoric resonate across the region, particularly among Iran’s allies?
**Dr. Khosravi:** Raisi’s call for unity and collaboration among Islamic nations could resonate strongly, especially among nations that share similar sentiments against Israel. This rhetoric may galvanize public support and potentially increase regional solidarity against perceived aggressions. However, it also risks further polarizing the already tense situation, as countries may either rally behind Iran or distance themselves, fearing the ramifications of broader conflict. The response from regional powers will be crucial in determining how this situation unfolds.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Khosravi, for your insights on these tense developments. It’s clear that the situation remains highly fluid and precarious.
**Dr. Khosravi:** Thank you for having me; I look forward to discussing developments as they unfold.
