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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In what ways could U.S. warnings to Iran impact the dynamics of military engagement in the Middle East?
**Interview with Dr. Sarah Halevi, Middle East Political Analyst**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Halevi. The situation in the Middle East has escalated following Hamas’s recent attack on Israel. While Iranian officials maintain that Tehran was not directly involved, they have long been a supporter of Hamas. What’s your perspective on Iran’s role in this latest conflict?
**Dr. Halevi:** Thank you for having me. It’s important to understand that while Iran has provided substantial support to Hamas over the years—through military advice, tactical training, and logistical support—there’s a strategic incentive for them to deny direct involvement in the recent attacks to maintain plausible deniability. This way, they can continue to support their allies without becoming directly embroiled in the conflict.
**Editor:** That’s an interesting point. Speaking of Iran’s involvement, there are concerns about Hezbollah potentially opening a second front against Israel. What do you make of Iran’s recent statements regarding this?
**Dr. Halevi:** Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian’s comments highlight a key aspect of their strategy: the situation is fluid and contingent on Israel’s actions. By stating that “everything depends on the actions of the Zionist regime in Gaza,” Iran is signaling that its responses, including from Hezbollah, will be reactive rather than proactive. This could be a tactic to deter Israel from escalating operations in Gaza, knowing that any significant moves might provoke Hezbollah.
**Editor:** The U.S. has warned Iran to be cautious. President Biden stated that he made it clear to Iran to “be careful.” How might this influence Iran’s decision-making moving forward?
**Dr. Halevi:** The U.S. has a critical role as a mediator in this situation. Iran is aware that any aggressive move against Israel could result in a robust response from the U.S. and its allies. Washington’s warnings may act as a restraining factor for Tehran, as the last thing they want is a direct military confrontation that could lead to more isolation or conflict worse than what they currently face.
**Editor:** What’s the potential impact of Hezbollah’s involvement? They have already claimed to have launched rockets into Israel. Could this escalate the conflict significantly?
**Dr. Halevi:** Yes, Hezbollah’s involvement could certainly escalate tensions. They are considerably well-armed and have a history of engaging in conflict with Israel. If they become more actively involved, especially in a coordinated effort with Hamas, it could trigger a larger regional conflict, drawing in other actors and possibly leading to a widespread war in the region.
**Editor:** President Raisi’s appeals to “Islamic and Arab countries” for cooperation against Israel suggests a unifying call in the face of this conflict. Do you think there’s a likelihood of broader regional involvement?
**Dr. Halevi:** It’s certainly a possibility. Iran often seeks to position itself as a leader of the so-called “Axis of Resistance,” which includes groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. Their shared antagonism toward Israel could lead to increased collaboration among these groups, but significant regional actors may hesitate to fully commit, given the risk of wider military engagement. Many states are reluctant to escalate the situation, particularly given their own internal issues and relationships with the West.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Halevi, for your insights on this critical and unfolding situation.
**Dr. Halevi:** Thank you for having me. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining the direction of this conflict.
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