Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said that the opening of the Lebanese-Israeli front, in the event of continued Israeli aggression, was in the hands of Hezbollah.
Despite his assertion that Lebanon’s security is “important to everyone and to Iran,” the Iranian official warned that “it was possible to imagine the opening of a new front in a way that suits the circumstances.”
Speaking on Saturday during a press conference at the Iranian Embassy in Beirut, Abdollahian said: “During my meetings with some of the leaders of the resistance in Beirut, I found that the resistance is in a very excellent situation and is fully prepared to respond to the criminal actions of the Zionist entity.”
He added: “The resistance has the energy and high capabilities to respond to the war crimes of the Zionist entity and the continued siege of Gaza.”
According to the FM, a political opportunity is available to prevent the war from expanding, but he warned: “Perhaps, in the coming hours, it will be too late.”
In light of the high number of casualties in Gaza, Abdollahian announced that his country “proposed holding an urgent meeting of the foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation,” stressing that Lebanon’s “security is important for everyone and for Iran.”
Iran’s top diplomat spoke about an agreement between his country and Saudi Arabia over the war on Gaza.
“A few days ago, a telephone call was held for the first time between Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. These discussions took place in light of the new atmosphere of good relations between Tehran and Riyadh,” Abdollahian told reporters in Beirut.
He stressed that the two sides “agree to support Palestine and condemn the war crimes committed by the Zionist entity,” adding: “The majority of leaders of the countries of the region and Arab states currently agree that Al-Aqsa Storm operations came as a spontaneous response to some of the crimes and extremism committed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.”
Experts, who spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat, noted that Abdollahian’s strong rhetoric contradicted the facts on the ground.
Dr. Riad Kahwaji, CEO of the Near East and Gulf Foundation for Military Analysis (INEGMA), said the situation in South Lebanon is limited to clashes and operations, stressing that both parties did not want a major escalation on the front.
He noted that Hezbollah sought to “keep Israel on alert over the possibility of opening the northern front, which has made it mobilize half of its army in the north instead of deploying it on the front with Gaza.”
