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 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 factors influence Hezbollah’s decisions to engage militarily in conflicts involving Israel and its implications for regional stability?
**Interview with Dr. Sarah Elmasri, Middle Eastern Affairs Expert**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Elmasri. In light of the recent escalation involving Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel, how do you interpret Iran’s stance regarding its involvement in these events?
**Dr. Elmasri:** Thank you for having me. It’s crucial to note that while Tehran has historically supported Hamas, Iranian officials have publicly denied any direct involvement in the recent attacks. This distinction is important because it reflects Iran’s strategic positioning. They aim to maintain influence in the region without overtly escalating tensions into a direct confrontation, which could draw international backlash or lead to a broader conflict.
**Interviewer:** The U.S. has expressed concerns about a potential second front opening if Hezbollah intervenes. What implications would that have for regional security?
**Dr. Elmasri:** Absolutely, the fear of a multi-front conflict is significant. If Hezbollah, which is also backed by Iran, decides to engage, it could dramatically alter the security landscape. The U.S. has been clear in its warnings to Iran, urging caution. A coordinated assault from both Hamas and Hezbollah could overwhelm Israeli defenses and provoke a severe military response, heightening instability across the region.
**Interviewer:** Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian mentioned that any future actions depend on Israel’s behaviour in Gaza. What does that indicate about Iran’s strategy moving forward?
**Dr. Elmasri:** This statement is a strategic warning. It indicates that Iran is closely monitoring Israeli actions and suggests a conditional approach to its involvement in the conflict. Iran is leveraging its rhetoric to rally support among other Arab states, portraying itself as a leader against what it describes as Israeli aggression. This could be a way for Iran to justify further support for groups like Hezbollah or to mobilize regional allies without initiating direct conflict.
**Interviewer:** With reports of Hezbollah firing rockets into Israel, how do you see the next steps playing out in this tense situation?
**Dr. Elmasri:** The situation is precarious. The more both sides engage through military actions, the higher the chances of miscalculations. Iran’s leadership has called for unity among Islamic and Arab nations against Israel, which could lead to broader regional involvement. If Hezbollah continues its attacks, Israel’s response will likely be swift and severe, which could, in turn, provoke further retaliation and escalate the conflict further.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, how important is international diplomacy in managing this crisis, particularly with Western countries expressing apprehension toward Iran?
**Dr. Elmasri:** International diplomacy is absolutely vital. Countries like the U.S. and those within the EU need to leverage their influence to engage Iran and its proxies. Clear communication can help de-escalate tensions before they spiral out of control. However, Iran’s recent statements suggest that they are prepared to act based on perceived threats. Therefore, it’s a delicate balance of deterrence and dialog that must be navigated carefully.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Elmasri. Your insights into this complicated matter are invaluable as the situation continues to evolve.
**Dr. Elmasri:** Thank you for having me. The developments in this region are critical and will have lasting implications for global security.