Iran has cautioned Israel about a potential escalation of tensions if it doesn't cease its hostilities against Palestinians.Read full article
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's Prime Minister, made a pledge on Sunday to "destroy Hamas" as his military geared up to enter the Gaza Strip in pursuit of Islamist militants. Their violent actions in Israeli border towns had shocked the international community.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's top authority, clarified on Tuesday that Tehran was not involved in the recent Hamas attack on Israel. However, he described Israel's military and intelligence defeat as "irreparable."
Israel has frequently accused Iran's leaders of supporting violence by providing arms to Hamas. In contrast, Iran claims to offer moral and financial assistance to the group that governs the Gaza Strip.
Iran's foreign minister warned on Sunday, October 15, that other regional actors were prepared to respond to Israel's "aggression" if it doesn't halt its actions, as reported by the semi-official Fars news agency.
The Gaza Strip being attacked will "open new fronts of resistance" in the Middle East, according to Amiabdollahian, who last week accused Israel of attempting "genocide" by enforcing a siege against the territory.
"The responsibility for the possible opening of new fronts of resistance in the region and any escalation of today's war directly falls on the United States and the Zionist regime (Israel)," Amirabdollahian said.
Amirabdollahian held talks with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Qatar on Saturday, addressing the group's recent attack in Israel. According to a statement from Iran-backed Hamas, they mutually pledged to sustain their cooperation to advance the group's objectives.
Furthermore, President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran called on France to assist in preventing the oppression of Palestinians during a phone conversation with President Emmanuel Macron.
Backing the Palestinian cause has remained a foundational principle of the Islamic Republic since the 1979 revolution.