Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian's recent visit to Lebanon has raised concerns about the potential for new fronts against Israel. During his speech, he addressed questions from Western officials regarding the possibility of opening new conflicts with Israel. He stated, "Some Western officials asked me if it's possible we will open new fronts against Israel. I answered them - that in the event of the continuation of the war crimes and the human siege on Gaza, there is every possibility that any of the Islamic organizations could join."
Abdollahian also emphasized Lebanon's strategic importance in supporting the resistance and deterring Israeli aggression in Gaza and Syria. He added, "Lebanon is among the most important areas where the territorialization of the resistance with the support of Iran worked well and succeeded in playing a deterrent role against the increase in Israeli aggression in Gaza and Syria." This underscores the role Iran plays in assisting various groups in the region, a matter of concern for Israel.
🚨 JUST IN - Iran FM meets Hezbollah head Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon pic.twitter.com/mJ4FJOSQxh
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) October 13, 2023
Coinciding with Abdollahian's visit, Esmail Qaani, the commander of the Quds Force, made a secret visit to Lebanon. Qaani has been associated with attempts to provoke violence in the Gaza Strip. During his last visit, a missile attack was launched from Gaza, drawing attention to the volatile situation in the region.
In the midst of these developments, Israel carried out airstrikes on Damascus and Aleppo. According to foreign reports, this was to prevent the landing of an Iranian transport plane containing ammunition. The plane returned to Iran according to reports.
While the death toll in Israel is a cause for concern, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have not escalated the situation significantly on the northern border. The Lebanese government also called on the terrorist organization Hezbollah to stay out of the war, in the shadow of its difficult economic situation. IDF Frontline command officials estimate, despite the repeated incidents and the heavy blood price, that Hezbollah is not interested in entering into a war with Israel and therefore it can be avoided. However, in the speech in which he announced his entry into the emergency government, Minister Benny Gantz said that "if necessary - Even in Lebanon they will feel our strength."
Iran FM to Lebanon PM:
— Iran Observer (@IranObserver0) October 13, 2023
US urges everyone to exercise restraint except Israel…If US wants the war not to expand, it must control Israel…If Israel's crimes do not stop, it’s not clear what will happen...If they continue, Palestinian resistance will use its other capabilities pic.twitter.com/SvBY5WA47r
On the other hand, it is precisely the mayors and authorities in northern Israel who demand from the IDF to stop the policy of avoiding the war and act to resolve and remove the threat. Avihai Stern, the mayor of Kiryat Shmona, believes, "We are facing an existential threat to the country. A weak response to the enemies who want to destroy us means the end of the Jewish state.”
