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 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 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 has restricted the entry of goods into the territory and their departure from it 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 U.S. warnings to Iran impact the situation in the Middle East?
### Interview with Arian Ahmad, Middle East Analyst
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Arian. Given the recent surge in violence involving Hamas and Israel, can you give us your thoughts on Iran’s alleged role in this conflict?
**Arian Ahmad:** Thank you for having me. It’s crucial to note that while Iran has historically supported Hamas, they are currently stating that they were not involved in the latest attacks on Israel. The Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian made it clear that the future actions of Iran depend heavily on Israel’s behavior in Gaza.
**Editor:** That’s interesting. The U.S. seems apprehensive about the potential for a second front opening with Hezbollah in Lebanon. What can you tell us about this situation?
**Arian Ahmad:** The U.S. is right to be concerned. Hezbollah is a powerful Iranian ally, and any significant escalation could indeed widen the conflict. Abdollahian’s remarks about regional actors approaching Iran indicate heightened tensions. They suggest that Iran may be at the center of discussions about military responses, which could complicate dynamics further.
**Editor:** In light of the unfolding events, how are regional dynamics shifting? What impact could Iran’s stance have on neighboring countries?
**Arian Ahmad:** Iran’s position could galvanize responses from various regional actors. Their call for “serious convergence and cooperation” among Islamic and Arab nations signals that they might seek to unify support against perceived Israeli aggression. However, this also creates a risk of escalating tensions, particularly if Hezbollah gets more involved in the conflict.
**Editor:** U.S. President Biden has issued warnings to Iran. How effective do you think these warnings will be?
**Arian Ahmad:** U.S. warnings have historically had mixed effectiveness. While they may deter some actions, Iran’s strategic interests in supporting groups like Hamas and Hezbollah often take precedence. The real test will be whether Iran’s leadership believes that actively engaging in this conflict is worth the potential costs.
**Editor:** Lastly, what do you think the next steps should be for the international community in addressing this crisis?
**Arian Ahmad:** The international community should focus on de-escalation efforts and actively promote dialogues. Clearly, military responses exacerbate the situation, while diplomatic engagement could lead to a more sustainable resolution. There is also a need for humanitarian considerations, especially given the civilian casualties on both sides.
**Editor:** Thank you, Arian. Your insights are invaluable during this complex situation.
**Arian Ahmad:** Thank you for having me. It’s vital we continue to analyze these events closely as they unfold.
