Iran has voiced its disapproval over Israel’s latest activities in the West Bank, citing the harm caused to Palestinians as evidence that the state of affairs hasn’t improved despite attempts at normalization.
Recent speculation regarding a possible rapprochement between Israel and Saudi Arabia has caught the attention of Iran. Nasser Kanani, the Iranian foreign ministry spokesman, has extensively voiced Iran’s perspective on the matter, signifying its close monitoring of the unfolding situation.
Furthermore, Iran has shown keen interest in the affairs of Syria, casting warnings at Israel concerning its involvement in Syria, and expressing a possible inclination to escalate the situation in Lebanon.
Iran’s Fars News Agency conveyed that Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the Iranian Foreign Minister, held a meeting with his Syrian counterpart, during which he condemned Israel’s purported activities in Syria.
“We emphatically disapprove of the Zionist regime’s recurrent incursions into Syrian territory and their persistence,” he expressed, adding, “This regime is the principal instigator of regional instability.”
Amir-Abdollahian insinuated that such purported actions would not remain “unreprimanded,” and the region would not remain “apathetic” towards Israel’s actions.
Currently, Iran has been exerting efforts to stir up discord between Hezbollah and Israel.
Iran has also expressed unease about rumored U.S. endorsement for an Israel-Saudi Arabia pact. Having recently mended relations with Saudi Arabia, Iran is striving to bolster its diplomatic influence in Iraq, the Gulf, and Egypt.
“Under this [U.S. normalization] policy framework, the United States has made significant strides, achieving political normalization between the Zionist regime and several regional nations,” the Iranian Foreign Ministry disclosed.
Iran alleges that Israel’s latest actions in the West Bank, which have negatively affected Palestinians, are indicative of the fact that normalization has not mitigated the conflict.
Iran’s Role in Exacerbating Near-Israeli Conflicts Interestingly, the Iranian regime did not acknowledge its culpability for some of the intensified unrest in the West Bank, specifically in Jenin. Evidently, Iran seems to be fueling conflicts closer to Israel, such as in Jenin, in an attempt to destabilize the relations between Israel, the Gulf, and potential new alliances with Saudi Arabia.
Collectively, Iran’s statements about Syria and the region are significant. Iran has also expressed its aim to expand its influence in Iraq, and its intention to deliberate with Syria about the roles of the U.S., Russia, and Turkey in Syria.
Iran has its sights set on other issues as well, including a water agreement with Afghanistan and agreements with Gulf nations. It’s utilizing diplomatic channels to elevate its global image, which includes fresh overtures towards South America and the BRICS nations.
Iran is banking on these diplomatic victories to undermine Israel, an approach central to its current strategy. This is why the regime is candidly discussing Israel’s Syrian policy and a possible normalization of Saudi-Israel relations.
Any efforts by Riyadh to foster closer relations with Israel would be seen by Tehran as a setback, or at least that’s the message Iran is sending to the region.
