Iranian FM: Middle East war threatens to spill over into wider regions

Iran will unwaveringly support Lebanon, the resistance, and other Muslim nations, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi affirmed.

"The war in the Middle East could potentially spread from West Asia to other regions," Araghchi warned, per Caliber.Az.

He criticized Israel, stating: “By pursuing aggressive policies and continually violating international laws, Israel has endangered regional stability and security and posed a serious threat to the international system based on rules and norms.” Araghchi made these remarks during a ceremony commemorating Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas militants launched a large-scale invasion into Israel. One of the initial targets was the Supernova music festival, held five kilometres from the Gaza Strip. The assault resulted in the deaths of 347 festivalgoers and 17 police officers. Residents of nearby settlements and towns were also attacked, bringing the total death toll to approximately 1,200. Numerous civilians, including children, were taken hostage.

Israel declared martial law in response to the unprecedented Hamas attack and began a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip aimed at dismantling the Palestinian militant group.

Although Hezbollah, which has traditionally expressed solidarity with the Palestinians, initially claimed it would stay out of the conflict, it soon shifted its stance.

On October 8, just one day after the Hamas incursion, Hashem Safi al-Din, head of Hezbollah's executive council, stated that Israel's disregard for Islamic holy sites had prompted the Hamas operation.

Concerns quickly arose that Hezbollah might open a second front on Israel’s northern border. With far more military capability than Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah could launch a severe offensive against Israel that would pose significant challenges to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). However, since the outset of Israel's campaign against Hamas, Hezbollah has limited its activities to targeted rocket and drone strikes without escalating to full-scale conflict, despite issuing ongoing threats.

On September 23, Israel announced Operation Arrows of the North against Hezbollah, aimed at safeguarding Israelis and dismantling attack infrastructure near the border. The operation included airstrikes throughout Lebanon, and Israeli authorities urged civilians in proximity to Hezbollah installations to evacuate.

Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, was killed in an airstrike on September 27.

On October 1, the IDF commenced a "limited" ground operation in southern Lebanon.

Most recently, on October 26, Israel launched another strike on Iranian targets.

By Tamilla Hasanova