FM Amirabdollahian
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, has cautioned that the potential emergence of a “new theater” in the Israel-Hamas conflict hinges on Israel’s conduct in Gaza.
As a staunch supporter of Hamas and other armed groups in the Middle East, Iran underscores that continued offenses against Palestinians will trigger a response from the collective alliance they refer to as “the rest of the axis,” with Israel held accountable for the ensuing consequences.
Addressing the media upon his arrival in Beirut, Iranian FM Amirabdollahian contends that the displacement of Palestinians, along with the severing of essential services like water and electricity in the Gaza Strip, amounts to acts constituting war crimes.
He emphasizes that the situation in Gaza represents a humanitarian crisis fraught with potential war crimes and the possibility of coordinated action from their coalition, the Axis of Resistance, which includes Iran, Palestinian militant groups, Syria, Hezbollah, and other key players.
Although Iran has a well-documented history of supporting Hamas, Iranian officials deny direct involvement in the recent Hamas attack on Israel.
The United States expresses apprehension about the potential for a second front opening on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon should Hezbollah, another heavily armed group backed by Iran, become embroiled.
Earlier in the day, Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian conveyed to Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani that the decision to initiate a new front against Israel would hinge on Israel’s actions in Gaza.
He underscored that “even now, Israel’s transgressions persist, and no regional actor seeks our approval to open new fronts.”
Subsequently, Amirabdollahian arrived in Beirut, where he was warmly received by Hezbollah and Hamas, along with other pro-Iran groups. He asserted that Iran’s regional allies, collectively known as the “axis of resistance,” could respond if Israel’s actions in Gaza escalate further.
In the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, casualties have been suffered on both sides. A Hamas militant attack on Saturday resulted in the loss of at least 1,200 lives, including Israelis, foreigners, and dual citizens. Simultaneously, Gaza reported that Israel’s retaliatory strikes led to the deaths of 1,417 Palestinians.
The international community closely monitors Iran’s role and actions in the conflict. U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a warning, urging Iran to exercise caution.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has also called for collaboration among Islamic and Arab countries to halt what they describe as the “crimes of the Zionist regime against the oppressed Palestinian nation.”
