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 Hezbollah’s potential involvement alter the balance of power in the ongoing tensions between Israel and Hamas?
**Interview with Dr. Ali Akbar, Middle Eastern Affairs Expert**
**Editor**: Thank you for joining us, Dr. Akbar. In light of the recent violent developments between Hamas and Israel, can we clarify Iran’s position? Iranian officials have denied involvement in Hamas’s latest attack. Why do you think they’re distancing themselves, despite their historical support for the group?
**Dr. Akbar**: Thank you for having me. Iran has indeed supported Hamas, especially in terms of military funding and training. However, by denying involvement in the recent attack, Iranian officials are likely attempting to maintain plausible deniability while managing regional tensions. They are also aware that increased direct involvement could invite a stronger response from the U.S. and its allies.
**Editor**: Recently, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian mentioned that openings of new fronts depend on Israeli actions in Gaza. What does this imply about Iran’s strategy moving forward?
**Dr. Akbar**: This comment suggests that Iran is carefully monitoring the situation and may react strategically rather than impulsively. It indicates that Iran is using the rhetoric of defensive response to justify further involvement, while trying to position itself as a mediator or arbiter among regional powers. The emphasis on Israel’s actions also allows Iran to keep the narrative focused on Israeli aggression.
**Editor**: Hezbollah has been mentioned as a potential actor in the conflict. Can you elaborate on the possible implications if they choose to escalate their involvement?
**Dr. Akbar**: If Hezbollah escalates its involvement, it could indeed open a second front for Israel, complicating the already volatile situation. This would likely provoke a significant military response from Israel, which could lead to a wider regional conflict. It’s crucial to note that Hezbollah’s commitment to the Palestinian cause is deep-rooted; however, they also have to weigh the risks of a large-scale conflict with Israel, which could devastate Lebanon.
**Editor**: The international community, particularly the U.S., has issued warnings to Iran. How do you see the geopolitical dynamics playing out, especially in light of President Biden’s cautionary comments?
**Dr. Akbar**: Biden’s warning indicates the U.S. administration is taking a proactive stance against Iranian involvement. These diplomatic pressures reflect broader apprehensions about instability in the region. However, the effectiveness of these warnings will depend on Iran’s calculations—it faces significant internal pressures but also seeks to assert its influence. The U.S. is trying to deter Iran from escalating its involvement without pushing them into a corner where they might feel compelled to act out of desperation.
**Editor**: Thank you, Dr. Akbar, for your insights on this complex situation. As the situation develops, it will be crucial to monitor the responses from all parties involved.
**Dr. Akbar**: Thank you for having me. It’s certainly a critical moment for the region, and I appreciate the opportunity to discuss it.