Iran’s foreign minister, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, warned on Saturday of a potential spread of violence in the Middle East if Israel’s bombardment of the Gaza Strip does not stop immediately.
Abdollahian stated during a press conference at the Iranian Embassy in Beirut that “the resistance is in an excellent position and ready to respond to the Zionist entity’s criminal actions.”
Abdollahian hinted at the possibility of Iran-backed groups, Hezbollah included, entering the conflict, stating that “if these organized war crimes don’t stop immediately, then we can imagine any possibility.”
He noted that an escalation in the war would result in opening new fronts or a ceasefire. “It is the resistance (Hezbollah) that decides, and when it comes to achieving a cessation of the enemy’s war crimes, the resistance determines the conditions and announces them,” he emphasized.
Abdollahian pointed out that the resistance has scenarios in place for all possible fronts and will declare the zero hour for any action if Israeli crimes continue.
He said that “any step taken by Hezbollah will result in a significant earthquake against the Zionist entity.”
Abdollahian is on a diplomatic tour, which includes stops in Baghdad, Damascus, and Beirut. Iran leads the “axis of resistance,” a coalition that includes powerful militant groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Popular Mobilization Forces in Iraq.
The Iranian foreign minister was on a flight to Damascus before Israel’s military struck two of Syria’s main international airports on Thursday, in Damascus and Aleppo, putting them out of service.
Abdollahian met with his Lebanese counterpart, during which both officials called for an immediate halt to Israel’s attacks on Gaza. He also met with Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Lebanon’s Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, and Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri.
There have been growing concerns that the conflict could spill over into Lebanon, particularly along the Lebanese-Israeli border, where Hezbollah fighters have been on high alert since the Israel-Hamas war raged.
Sporadic incidents of violence along the Lebanon-Israel border resulted in the deaths of three Hezbollah fighters on Monday. On Wednesday, an Israeli soldier was killed in an anti-tank missile attack.
Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden warned against other regional actors becoming involved in the conflict, having deployed American warships to the region and pledging full support for Israel.
“What is funny is that at a time when America is calling on parties for self-restraint, it is allowing the criminals in the fake Zionist entity to kill women, children, and civilians in Gaza,” Abdollahian said.
Abdollahian criticized the US for its actions, emphasizing the need for a diplomatic resolution. He called on the foreign ministers and the leader of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, a consortium of 57 nations with significant Muslim populations, to convene and address the situation in Gaza.
Following his meeting with Prime Minister Mikati, Abdollahian stressed the importance of maintaining security in Lebanon amidst escalating regional tensions. He noted that Hamas’ actions over the weekend were a response to the policies of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
