Mohsen Rezaee, the former commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, issued a cautionary statement hinting at the possibility of new fronts joining the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
In an interview with the Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese news outlet Al-Mayadeen, Rezaee suggested that the pressure on Gaza could lead to increased support for the war. He emphasized the backing of resistance forces in Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen – indicating a broader regional involvement.
"The war in Gaza is a war for control of the region, and it'll determine the fate of Israel and the fate of the resistance axis, which will play a larger role in the future," Rezaee said. (Related: Israel's "holy war" against Gaza already expanding to include Syria, Yemen.)
Iran's Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, echoed these sentiments, stating that "the first stage of the war's escalation has begun." This choice of words implies a multi-stage escalation, suggesting that the conflict's intensity may heighten soon.
One notable incident reflecting this escalation is the recent hijacking of a cargo ship in the Red Sea by Iran-backed Houthi rebels from Yemen. The '"Galaxy Leader," a Bahamian-flagged vehicle carrier, was boarded by armed Houthi fighters, and a video was released on social media documenting the helicopter-borne raid.
The vessel was carrying cars from Turkey and was seized in the southern Red Sea en route to Indonesia. It is reportedly owned by Israeli businessman Rami Ungar's shipping company Ray. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu branded the incident as an "Iranian attack against an international vessel." He continued: "The vessel had crew members of various nationalities, including Ukrainians, Bulgarians, Filipinos and Mexicans; no Israelis on board."
History does repeat itself. The Tet Offensive...early on a huge communist psychological victory when the VC occupied the American embassy. October 7 dittos for Hamas when they made a huge thrust into Israel unopposed. Both America and Israel eventually got the upper hand but political catastrophes at home. If Israel submits to a permanent ceasefire Hamas will declare victory and the Israeli PM will disappear like Johnson did.
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