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 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 Iran’s historical support for Hamas impact its current stance on the recent attacks in Israel?
**Interview with Dr. Leila Keshavarz, Middle East Analyst and Political Scientist**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Keshavarz. It’s reported that Iranian officials claim Tehran was not involved in the recent Hamas attack on Israel. How significant is this assertion considering Iran’s history of supporting Hamas?
**Dr. Keshavarz:** Thank you for having me. Iran has long acted as a supporter of Hamas, providing them with resources and political backing. However, their denial of involvement in this particular attack could be a strategic move to distance themselves from an event that could escalate into broader regional conflict. Essentially, they want to maintain plausible deniability while still projecting support.
**Editor:** With the U.S. expressing concerns about Hezbollah potentially opening a second front against Israel, how do you see Iran’s influence in this scenario?
**Dr. Keshavarz:** Iran’s influence in the region is substantial, particularly through its proxy groups like Hezbollah. The Foreign Minister’s remarks suggest that Iran’s position is conditional, depending on Israel’s actions. If hostilities escalate and Hezbollah feels compelled to engage, Iran is likely to encourage it. At the same time, they are playing a cautious game to avoid direct military confrontation with the U.S. or Israel.
**Editor:** The situation in Gaza is dire, with heavy casualties reported from both sides. How do you think this conflict will affect Iran’s relationships with other countries in the region?
**Dr. Keshavarz:** The conflict has already alerted regional players. Countries like Iraq and Syria are closely watching developments, feeling the ripple effects of instability. Iran’s leadership is calling for solidarity among Islamic and Arab nations, likely hoping to strengthen alliances in the face of perceived Israeli aggression. How effectively they achieve this will depend on their ability to navigate the very real fears of escalation that other governments harbor.
**Editor:** U.S. President Biden has warned Iran to be cautious. What measures do you believe the U.S. might take if Iran decides to intervene further?
**Dr. Keshavarz:** The U.S. could increase military support for Israel, bolster defenses in the region, or impose stricter sanctions on Iranian entities. Additionally, they might engage in diplomatic efforts to isolate Iran internationally. The U.S. is keen on preventing a multi-front war; therefore, they will take a variety of steps to deter Iranian involvement without inflaming tensions further.
**Editor:** what do you anticipate will be the role of public opinion in Iran regarding this conflict, especially with the government appealing for regional cooperation against Israel?
**Dr. Keshavarz:** Public opinion in Iran will likely remain split. Many citizens feel a strong sense of solidarity with the Palestinian cause, influenced by decades of regime rhetoric against Israel. However, the economic hardships facing the nation and the desire for stability could temper calls for military confrontation. The government will have to balance national pride and public sentiment while managing potential risks of escalation, which could lead to more direct repercussions on Iranian soil.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Keshavarz, for your insights on this complex situation. We’ll continue to monitor developments closely.
**Dr. Keshavarz:** Thank you for having me.
