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 are Dr. Hassan’s views on Iran’s strategic responses to U.S. warnings regarding their role in escalating tensions in the Middle East?
**Interview with Dr. Amir Hassan, Middle Eastern Politics Expert**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Dr. Hassan. With the recent developments in the Israel-Iran conflict, many are concerned about the potential for a new front opening in Lebanon with Hezbollah’s involvement. What are your thoughts on Iran’s denial of involvement in the recent Hamas attack while still expressing support for the group?
**Dr. Hassan:** Thank you for having me. The Iranian government has a long history of supporting Hamas, primarily as a means to counter Israeli influence in the region. However, their public position of non-involvement in the latest attacks may be a strategic choice. They’re trying to balance their proxy relationships while avoiding direct confrontation that could lead to severe repercussions, especially from the U.S. and its allies.
**Interviewer:** That’s interesting. Following the surprise attack by Hamas, which resulted in significant casualties and hostages, how might Iran’s foreign policy shift in reaction to Israel’s military response?
**Dr. Hassan:** We have seen a pattern where Iran reacts to Israeli actions by calling for regional solidarity against what they describe as “Zionist crimes.” Iran’s Foreign Minister, Amir Abdollahian, mentioned that future actions depend on Israel’s conduct in Gaza. This reflects Tehran’s approach of leveraging the situation to rally support both domestically and regionally, positioning itself as a defender of Palestinian rights.
**Interviewer:** The U.S. has expressed clear warnings to Iran regarding their potential involvement, with President Biden cautioning them to “be careful.” How do you see U.S.-Iran tensions shaping this broader conflict?
**Dr. Hassan:** The U.S. is very much on edge regarding any Iranian escalation, particularly with Hezbollah being an active participant in tensions along the northern border of Israel. The presence of U.S. forces in the region adds another layer of complexity. Any miscalculations could lead to direct confrontations, potentially involving U.S. military assets. Iran understands these dynamics, which is why they may be treading carefully, at least publicly.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of Hezbollah, reports indicate that they have already engaged in hostilities by firing rockets into Israel. How critical do you think Hezbollah’s involvement could be for the stability of the region going forward?
**Dr. Hassan:** Hezbollah’s involvement is highly consequential. If they choose to escalate their actions, it could transform a localized conflict into a broader regional war. This is what the U.S. fears, and why they’ve communicated sternly with Tehran. The balance of power in Lebanon and its relation to Iran complicates matters, as Hezbollah is both a significant military force and a key political player in the country. Their choices in the coming days will be pivotal.
**Interviewer:** Dr. Hassan, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s call for “serious convergence and cooperation” among Islamic countries suggests a significant diplomatic effort. What implications might this have for regional alliances moving forward?
**Dr. Hassan:** Raisi’s appeals illustrate Tehran’s desire to strengthen ties with other Islamic nations, particularly in response to perceived threats from Israel. This could help Iran consolidate a coalition that counters U.S. and Israeli influence in the region. However, such alliances can also lead to increased polarization, with the potential for escalating conflicts and drawn-out confrontations. How successful Iran will be in fostering this unity remains to be seen, especially as sectarian divides and geopolitical interests play a critical role.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Hassan, for your insights into this complex situation. It’s crucial to monitor these developments closely as they unfold.
**Dr. Hassan:** My pleasure, and thank you for shedding light on these pressing issues.
