Iran's Supreme Leader Says "Must Respond to Events in Gaza Strip"... Hints at Intervention

Concerns Over Middle East Escalation in Israel-Palestine Conflict
Remarks Emerge a Day Before Biden's Visit

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said on the 17th (local time) that "we must respond and react to what is happening in the Gaza Strip," according to major foreign media citing Iranian state media.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the same day, Supreme Leader Khamenei said to Israel, "They must be judged for the crimes committed against the Palestinians." This statement has been interpreted as suggesting that Iran may directly intervene in the Israel-Palestine conflict.

This statement also came a day before U.S. President Joe Biden's visit to Israel. The previous day, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said, "All options are open," and "It can be expected that preemptive measures will be taken by the resistance front within the next few hours."

Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iranian rulers have supported Palestine. Major foreign media reported that Iran has not hidden its financial and military support for Hamas, the Palestinian armed faction controlling the Gaza Strip.

Supreme Leader Khamenei emphasized, "If the crimes of the Zionist regime (Israel) against Palestine continue, no one will be able to stand against Muslims and the resistance forces," and added, "The bombing of Gaza must be stopped immediately."

There are concerns that if Iran officially intervenes, the conflict could expand throughout the Middle East. Since the outbreak of armed conflict triggered by Hamas's surprise attack on Israel on the 7th, clashes have already been frequent in Lebanon near the northern border of Israel, where the pro-Iranian armed faction Hezbollah is located.

Hezbollah, which is allied with Hamas, has increased missile and rocket attacks toward northern Israel. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned the previous day, "Do not test our resolve in the north."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.