Although Tehran has long supported Hamas, Iranian officials insist 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 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 wary of Iran, but its leaders have warned Tehran in no uncertain terms against intervening in the war.
US President 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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What is Iran’s official stance on the recent attacks by Hamas against Israel, and how does that align with their historical support for the group?
**Interview with Dr. Amir Reza, Middle East Political Analyst**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Reza. The recent events involving Hamas’s assault on Israel and Iran’s response have captured global attention. Can you shed light on Iran’s position regarding the attacks on Israel?
**Dr. Reza:** Certainly, it’s a complex situation. While Tehran has historically supported Hamas, Iranian officials have made it clear that they did not play a role in the recent coordinated attack on Israel. Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian emphasized that the future of regional conflict options is contingent upon Israel’s actions in Gaza [[1](https://apnews.com/live/hamas-haniyeh-iran-israel-live-updates)].
**Interviewer:** That brings us to the potential escalation of conflict. The U.S. is particularly wary of Hezbollah’s involvement, which could create a second front against Israel. What insights can you provide on that front?
**Dr. Reza:** The U.S. fears that Hezbollah, backed by Iran, could escalate the situation if they choose to intervene. This concern is heightened by the recent statements from Iranian officials indicating that their actions—or lack thereof—will depend on Israel’s military operations in Gaza [[1](https://apnews.com/live/hamas-haniyeh-iran-israel-live-updates)]. Amir Abdollahian’s discussions in Iraq touch upon the pressures they face from various countries regarding this possible escalation.
**Interviewer:** In light of the heavy casualties reported on both sides, how do you see the humanitarian aspect affecting international reactions and Iran’s rhetoric?
**Dr. Reza:** The humanitarian crisis is significant, with thousands dead, many of whom are civilians. This has prompted calls from Iranian leadership, including President Ebrahim Raisi, for cooperation among Islamic and Arab nations to respond to what they term Israel’s crimes against Palestinians [[1](https://apnews.com/live/hamas-haniyeh-iran-israel-live-updates)]. This rhetoric is likely to resonate within the region and among Iran’s allies, potentially galvanizing support.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, how does the current U.S. stance, particularly President Biden’s warning to Iran, fit into this scenario?
**Dr. Reza:** President Biden’s caution to Iran serves as a warning against further involvement in the conflict, highlighting concerns over escalating tensions [[1](https://apnews.com/live/hamas-haniyeh-iran-israel-live-updates)]. The U.S. aims to prevent a broader conflict that could destabilize not only Israel but also neighboring Lebanon and potentially involve other regional actors.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Reza, for providing valuable insights into this evolving situation. We appreciate your time.
**Dr. Reza:** Thank you for having me. The situation remains fluid, and developments should be monitored closely.