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 might the potential for Hezbollah’s involvement in the current conflict shape Israel’s military strategy and regional stability?
**Interview with Dr. Fatima Javad, Middle Eastern Politics Expert**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Javad. Recent events have shifted the geopolitical landscape in the Middle East, especially with Iran’s rejection of involvement in the recent Hamas attacks on Israel. Can you shed some light on Iran’s response to these allegations?
**Dr. Javad:** Absolutely. Iran has a long-standing relationship with Hamas, and while they have publicly stated they were not involved in the recent attacks, it’s important to understand that their support for various groups in the region is a strategic stance against Israel. Iranian officials are careful to distance themselves from direct involvement to avoid heightened tensions with the West and potential military repercussions.
**Editor:** Speaking of tensions, there are concerns about Hezbollah potentially opening a second front against Israel. What’s the current situation on that front?
**Dr. Javad:** Yes, Hezbollah’s involvement is a significant concern for Israel and the US. Following the attacks, Hezbollah has indicated its support for Hamas but has so far limited its actions to rocket fire, likely in a show of solidarity without drawing further military retaliation. Iran’s Foreign Minister has emphasized that any escalation depends on Israel’s actions towards Gaza, suggesting that the situation remains fluid and heavily influenced by developments on the ground.
**Editor:** US President Joe Biden has issued warnings to Iran not to intervene in this conflict. How effective do you think these warnings will be?
**Dr. Javad:** The effectiveness of these warnings is uncertain. While the US has significant influence, Iran operates under a different strategic calculus. They view their regional alliances and actions as a means of countering US and Israeli influence. The rhetoric may deter some immediate aggressive actions, but ultimately decisions will be based on Iran’s broader objectives in the region.
**Editor:** You mentioned Iran’s relationships in the region. In light of President Raisi’s call for cooperation among Islamic and Arab countries against Israel, how could this impact the regional stability?
**Dr. Javad:** Raisi’s appeal highlights Iran’s aim to galvanize support against Israel, potentially rallying groups across the region under a common cause. However, this could also backfire by escalating conflict, especially if other nations see Iranian influence as a threat. The balance of power is delicate, and any miscalculation could lead to a larger regional conflict.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Javad, for your insights on these complex issues. It’s clear that the situation continues to evolve, and careful attention is needed in the coming weeks.
**Dr. Javad:** Thank you for having me. It’s certainly a critical moment in Middle Eastern politics.
