Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, has conveyed a private warning to the United Nations, indicating that Iran might enter the conflict if Israel invaded Gaza. Amirabdollahian stressed the delicate situation in the region, stating that the “hands of all parties” are poised for action and that there may only be a limited window of time to prevent a broader Middle East conflict.
In his statement, Amirabdollahian also highlighted the readiness of Iranian-backed Hezbollah, which has extensively strategized various scenarios for potential engagement. He cautioned that any move by Hezbollah, often referred to as “the resistance,” could have significant repercussions in the region, particularly within what he called the “Zionist entity.”
Expressing concern over civilian casualties in Gaza, Amirabdollahian urged action against what he described as “war crimes.” He called for intervention to prevent further harm to the civilian population, emphasizing the situation’s urgency.
Hezbollah, located in southern Lebanon near Israel’s northern border, has a history of hostilities with Israeli forces. In 2006, they engaged in a conflict with Israel, holding their ground and furthering their commitment to the destruction of the Jewish state. The group also participated in the Syrian civil war and is seen as a potential frontline force in a conflict between Iran and Israel.
Israeli Admiral Daniel Hagari acknowledged an escalation of tensions along the Lebanese border, asserting Israel’s readiness to engage on multiple fronts if necessary.
Iran has been strengthening ties with Hamas, which controls Gaza, as part of a broader strategy to find common ground against their shared adversary, Israel.
While allegations of Iran’s involvement in a recent major attack in Israel were made, the U.S. National Security Council’s spokesperson, John Kirby, emphasized the need for specific evidence before making conclusive statements about Iran’s role in the attack.
Amirabdollahian sought to distance Iran from direct involvement in any attack that could expose the country to retaliation, particularly given the presence of two U.S. aircraft carrier fleets in the eastern Mediterranean.
He maintained that recent Palestinian operations were purely Palestinian origin, driven by what he termed “natural reactions” to perceived Israeli transgressions.
Diplomatic sources indicated that Amirabdollahian had communicated to Tor Wennesland, the UN’s envoy to the Middle East, Iran’s potential military response if Israel’s actions in Gaza continued.
Meanwhile, a week of sustained Israeli airstrikes in Gaza resulted in significant Palestinian casualties and injuries. Plans for an imminent ground invasion were reportedly postponed due to unfavorable weather conditions and concerns about Hamas’ extensive underground defenses.
In closing, Amirabdollahian cautioned that if Israel chose to enter Gaza, it could lead to dire consequences, with Hamas determined to defend the territory and its people at any cost.
