Iran: Palestinian Fighters Ready for Long War with Israel

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian warned that if the Zionist regime insists on bombing the besieged Gaza Strip, the conflict may spin out of control and could expand across the region, and further said that Palestinian resistance movements do not face a shortage in munitions and other military equipment and are ready for a long battle with the Zionist regime.

Amir Abdollahian made the remarks in a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Wednesday.

The Iranian diplomat called on Muslim countries to take “immediate and effective” action to put an end to Israel’s war crimes in the Gaza Strip and its blockade on the coastal enclave.

Amir Abdollahian warned the war against the defenseless Palestinians could any moment spread to other parts of the region, stressing that the responsibility for that would rest with the US government and the Israeli regime.

The minister stated Palestinian resistance forces have informed Tehran that they do not face a shortage in weapons and military hardware, and possess the military capabilities needed for a long battle with the Zionist regime.

He pointed to US demand that countries show restraint over the situation in Gaza, stressed Washington is not in a place to call for calm as it directly participates in the planning of Israel’s brutal attacks on Palestinians.

“The US, as a party to the war on Gaza, is in no position to urge other sides to show restraint,” the top diplomat added.

Hours after the Hamas military operation against Israel in early October, American and European officials promised rock-solid and unwavering support to Tel Aviv. In recent weeks, President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and several others European leaders also visited Tel Aviv to show their support for Israel.

Tehran says the Western leaders’ trips to the occupied territories are aimed at giving artificial respiration to dying Israel and demonstrate the US’ and Europe’s concerns over the downfall of the Zionist regime.

The US has pledged unwavering support for Israel as its military pummels Gaza with bombardment. Washington has announced it will provide Tel Aviv with everything it needed.

Washington has made major shows of force in the Middle East since Hamas’ October 7 raid on Israel, deploying two aircraft carrier strike groups to the Mediterranean, as well as an amphibious assault ship carrying 2,000 sailors and marines. US officials have claimed the moves were meant to deter outside actors from taking part in the Gaza war.

Iranian officials say the United States is waging a war on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip through Israel, and cautions that the current status in West Asia resembled a powder keg which could spiral out of control.

Tehran warns that any Israeli “miscalculation” in proceeding with the policy of genocide and forced displacement of Palestinian people in Gaza will have “bitter consequences” for West Asia and the interests of warmongers.

Erdogan, for his part, stated all should work to create mechanisms aimed at protecting the security of the Palestinian people.

He added Turkey’s current priority is to help stop attacks on Gaza, remove the blockade and send humanitarian aid to Palestinians trapped in the besieged strip.

On October 7, Hamas launched a multi-pronged surprise military operation via land, sea and air. The group announced it was in response to the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers’ growing violence against Palestinians. The attacks have so far killed more than 1,400 and injured over 5,000, according to Israeli officials. Hamas also announced it is holding between at least 200 and 250 hostages.

Following the multi-front attack by Hamas, Israel carried out heavy bombardment across the Gaza Strip, killing nearly 8,800 Palestinians, including at least 3,600 children and over 2,300 women, and wounding over 20,000 others, and levelling entire neighbourhoods.

Tel Aviv has ordered a “complete siege” of Gaza, saying it would halt its supply of electricity, food, water and fuel. Israel’s military has also ordered 1.1 million people living in Northern Gaza to evacuate their homes, amid signs it is set to ramp up its offensive.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Tel Aviv will not agree to a ceasefire with the Palestinian movement Hamas because it would mean surrender. He added Israel’s military operation in the Gaza Strip has entered its third stage which includes expanding ground operations in the enclave.

The bombing, as well as enforced displacement orders by the Israeli Army, has pushed 1.5 million people out of their homes.

The Gaza Health Ministry has confirmed that the healthcare system in the besieged territory has “totally collapsed due to the Israeli war”.

The UN agencies have warned that the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is “catastrophic”, calling for more international help as conditions deteriorate in the densely populated besieged enclave.

Iranian officials say the current status in West Asia resembled a powder keg which could spiral out of control. They caution that if diplomatic efforts to stop Israeli relentless bombardment and prevent a ground offensive on Gaza are unsuccessful, there is a risk of the conflict escalating uncontrollably, with multiple regional players joining the fight.

Gaza is one of the most densely populated places on Earth, where some 2 million people live in an area of 140 square miles. It has been almost completely cut off from the rest of the world for nearly 17 years. More than half of its population lives in poverty and is food insecure, with nearly 80% of its population relying on humanitarian assistance.

Tehran says the history of the apartheid regime is full of assassinations, massacre, torture and killing of Palestinian kids, and described Tel Aviv regime’s atrocities and massacre of Palestinian women and children as indicative of the destitute of Zionists. Iranian officials say the Tel Aviv regime has been struggling for more than 70 years to exit its identity crisis which has been mixed with genocide, plunder, forced displacement and scores of other inhumane moves.