Iranian officials warned late Monday of possible “preemptive action” against Israel by the “resistance front” ahead of the Jewish nation’s imminent ground invasion into Gaza.
“The resistance front is capable of waging a long-term war with the enemy [Israel] … in the coming hours, we can expect a preemptive action by the resistance front,” Iran Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said in a live broadcast on state TV.
Iran has denied any involvement in Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7 which killed 1,400 people, but Tehran has long backed Hamas and has supported the plight of Palestinians since 1979.
“Leaders of the resistance will not allow the Zionist regime to take any action in Gaza. … All options are open and we cannot be indifferent to the war crimes committed against the people of Gaza,” Amirabdollahian added, in reference to a meeting he had with Hezbollah leaders Saturday.
Palestinian citizens inspect the damage to their homes caused by Israeli airstrikes in the Karama area, northern Gaza Strip, on Oct. 11, 2023. Getty Images
Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian (left) meets with Ismail Haniyeh, one of Hamas’ leaders, in Doha, Qatar, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. APIsrael launched nearly nonstop airstrikes on the Palestinian territory following Hamas’ deadly incursion. Since then, 2,808 people — including many women and children — have been killed in Gaza, according to its health ministry.
Iran applauded Hamas’ brutal attack in which its fighters targeted and hunted innocent civilians, including hundreds attending a music festival in Israel.
The country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reveled in what he deemed Israel’s “irreparable” military and intelligence defeat, he said last week.
With Post wires
