Exclusive: If ceasefire fails, regional war likely - Amir-Abdollahian

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
22 Nov 2023 22:37
6 Shares

Iranian Foreign Minister underlines that the Israeli occupation must do its best to uphold the ceasefire, because its failure could lead to an all-out regional war.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (Al Mayadeen)

The Axis of Resistance has emphasized over and over again that if the war on Gaza protracts, it would lead to it expanding to new fronts; the Lebanese, Syrians, Iraqis, and Yemenis cannot stand idly in response to all that is happening, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian told Al Mayadeen on Wednesday.

Amir-Abdollahian revealed that he is currently in Lebanon for consultations regarding the latest regional developments. He announced that he discussed with Lebanese officials the ceasefire, the war, the future of Palestine, regional developments, and the behavior of the United States and the Israeli occupation one day after the ceasefire.

"The region is facing complex circumstances after 6 weeks of Operation al-Aqsa Flood, which was in response to the crimes of the Zionists," he stressed, urging the international community to disarm the Israeli occupation of nuclear weapons.

Regarding the ceasefire, he underlined that if does not continue, the circumstances in the region would change, and the war's scope would widen. "We do not look forward to its expansion, but any possibility is on the table if the aggression continues."

Amir-Abdollahian also said Tehran called on international players to pressure for the cessation of the war, stressing that the end of the war would be in favor of the Resistance.

Several international parties have welcomed the recent announcement regarding a 4-day humanitarian pause with the Israeli occupation, achieved through Qatari and Egyptian mediation efforts after difficult and complex negotiations.

The agreement entails releasing 50 Israeli women and minors (under 19) held captive in Gaza in exchange for the liberation of 150 Palestinian women and minors (under 19) imprisoned in Israeli jails.

Martin Griffiths, UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator expressed that the UN has a plan that will "hopefully" allow for displaced Gazans to go back to their homes in the north, and "we may be able to go back to the north also to repair facilities."

Griffiths accepted "Israel's" declared intention to move the emphasis of its bombardment to the south, where it had previously directed the Gazan population to go. He characterized the north as "an area of desolation. We fear terribly about this being repeated in the south."

"We need to be prepared for a major humanitarian operation in the south and we need to grab every moment of any pause that comes our way," he remarked.

Iran supports regional resistance factions

"Israel and the United States cannot eliminate Hamas in Gaza and will remain in Palestine. Hamas is a legitimate revolutionary movement, and it is very much real and will continue to live on," the Iranian Foreign Minister said.

Despite giving his insight on how a ceasefire would favor the Resistance, Amir-Abdollahian underlined that the Resistance would have the final say, noting that there are ongoing consultations with Qatar about this matter.

"The factions do not act on our behalf but work for the interests of their countries and the Arab nation,"

"In Iraq and Syria, there are factions that act independently against the United States and do not follow Iran's orders and administration," he underscored. "Iraq attacks US bases in Iraq and Syria to defend its independence and protect its brethren."

Regarding the operations of the Yemeni armed forces, Amir Abdollahian said: "The Yemenis attacked Eilat with missiles by Yemeni decision," and the Lebanese carry out their operations based on their own decision.

"The Americans, from the early days of the brutal attack on Gaza, sent messages to Iran and advised it to exercise restraint," he once again said, further reminding that "the Iranian president openly stated that if the genocide continues, Islamic countries must supply the resistance with weapons."

According to the Pentagon, US forces in the Middle East have been attacked 66 times since mid-October. Resistance factions in Iraq and Syria continue to support the Palestinian Resistance in Gaza and respond to the US direct involvement in "Israel's" aggression on the Strip.

Fearing Resistance strikes and potential casualties, according to Al Mayadeen's sources, the United States is reinforcing some of its occupation bases in Syria. The sources confirmed on Monday that Washington is arming itself with new weapons and equipment, primarily anti-air systems such as Avengers and THAAD, as it continues to illegally deploy additional troops in Syria.

These operations and their frequency have prompted Washington to take increased security measures, as both military bases are near the front lines with the Syrian Arab Army and its allied forces.

The Pentagon confirmed that at least 62 US troops suffered from minor injuries or traumatic brain concussions in the operations.

Call for international action

Moreover, the Iranian Foreign Minister requested that the Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing without giving any regard to restrictions and allow aid to reach the Gaza Strip.

He emphasized the necessity of forming an international tribunal to prosecute the perpetrators of crimes in this war, noting that "no decision has been made in the Security Council, and no fact-finding committee has been formed for the crimes in the Gaza Strip."

The foreign minister further called on China and Russia to see the reality and understand the occupation well, and this reality did not just come to fruition after October 7th.

"For 75 years, the US has been trying to support Israel like a spoiled child. Deep historical crises and old wounds cannot be forgotten, and the Palestinian wound is historical. Some give Israel the right to self-defense," he said.

"A fundamental solution to the Palestinian cause is a general referendum among the main inhabitants, with the participation of Jews, Christians, and Muslims. The international community should allow Palestinians to have the right to self-determination," he added.

"Israel plans to forcibly displace the population of Gaza to the Sinai Desert in Egypt, and displace the inhabitants of the West Bank to parts of Jordan and forming a Palestinian state there through the establishment of settlements," the Iranian top diplomat stressed.

"Part of what happened on October 7th was a result of the extremism of Netanyahu and his government, and the United States should not accept paying the price for his actions. It must change its course in supporting these Israeli crimes before it's too late, and it must bear the serious consequences if it continues to support Israel," he concluded.

Finally, the Foreign Minister offered his condolences to the martyrs of Lebanon and the resistance, including journalists such as colleagues Farah Omar and Rabih Me'mari, who were martyred by an Israeli drone strike while performing their duties in southern Lebanon.

Our beloved colleagues consistently reported on Israeli atrocities in southern Lebanon despite Israeli threats. These two journalists were united in a bond forged by their dedication, bravery, and, ultimately, their sacrifice.

They have ascended as two new martyrs, true heroes, performing their journalistic duties to expose the Israeli occupation's crimes during the brutal Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon.