Iran's FM To Start Regional Tour Amid Israel-Palestine Conflict

The tour, which includes visits to Iraq and Lebanon, was officially announced by Iranian state media and will begin with Amir-Abdollahian's visit to Iraq, followed by a subsequent trip to Lebanon.

"In light of the current Palestinian events, the crimes committed against Gaza and their dangerous ramifications, the foreign minister's regional trip will start today", Iran's ambassador in Lebanon said on social media.

Overnight, the Iranian FM held discussions with his Emirati counterpart, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, during which he called upon Islamic and Arab countries to extend their support to the Palestinian people, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi also engaged in separate telephone conversations with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Before the outbreak of the Hamas-Israel conflict, Iranian officials had made frequent diplomatic visits to Syria and Lebanon as part of their regional strategy. Tehran has a long history of supporting various terror groups, including Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Hezbollah.

The Islamic Republic’s support for Palestinian groups has been a source of tension and conflict in the region. It has contributed to ongoing instability in the Middle East and has often been a point of contention in international relations, particularly in the context of negotiations and peace efforts in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Additionally, Iraqi groups aligned with Iran have issued a warning that they may become involved in the Hamas-Israel conflict should Israel intensify its attacks on Hezbollah. The development, amidst rapidly rising tensions, has raised concerns about the potential for a wider regional conflict.