Iran’s foreign minister accuses Israel of pursuing expansionist aims and destabilising the region through military actions, calling for greater regional cooperation to resist what he terms ‘Greater Israel’ plans amidst escalating violence and diplomatic confrontations.
Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, has issued a stern warning about Israel’s expansionist intentions in the Middle East, describing Tel Aviv’s recent military actions as part of a broader strategy to destabilize the region and impose what he called the vision of “Greater Israel.” Speaking in an interview with Arabi 21, Araghchi called on Muslim and West Asian countries to intensify cooperation to resist Israeli policies, which he insisted are supported by the United States and several Western powers.
Araghchi emphasised the urgency for regional states to act decisively against what he characterised as Israel’s aggressive operations, not only in Palestine but also in Lebanon, Syria, and notably the occupied Golan Heights. Highlighting repeated international meetings on the Palestinian issue that have produced little tangible support, he argued that Palestinians need immediate aid—such as food and medicine—and an end to injustices, rather than more political rhetoric.
The Iranian foreign minister condemned Israel’s recent targeted strikes against Hamas leaders in Qatar, comparing them to its previous assassinations of Iranian scientists, politicians, and resistance leaders throughout the broader Middle East. He referred to the June 13 attack by Israel, which he characterized as an unprovoked assassination campaign against senior Iranian military and civilian figures. This escalation was followed by the September 9 airstrike targeting Hamas headquarters in Doha that resulted in the deaths of several Hamas members and a Qatari security officer, though key Hamas leaders—including Khalil al-Hayya, Khaled Meshal, and Zaher Jabarin—survived.
These attacks, Araghchi suggested, demonstrate Israel’s disregard for international norms and red lines, an assertion that has been substantiated by various international reactions. The Qatari government condemned the airstrike strongly, calling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s subsequent threats to expel Hamas officials from Qatar “reckless” and warning the strikes risk undermining ongoing peace negotiations that Qatar has been mediating alongside Egypt.
Netanyahu has publicly maintained that the removal of Hamas leaders in Qatar would eliminate a major obstacle to ceasefire discussions in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages, framing these individuals as saboteurs intent on prolonging the conflict. However, his strategy has backfired to some extent. Reports confirm that the strike killed lower-level Hamas members and a Qatari guard but failed to eliminate senior Hamas negotiators, which has complicated ongoing negotiations and further isolated Israel diplomatically. The attack drew criticism from Russia, which condemned it as a “gross violation” of international law and an infringement on Qatar’s sovereignty, raising concerns about escalating instability in the region.
The United Nations Security Council also joined the chorus of condemnation, with all 15 members—including the United States—issuing a statement that, while avoiding explicitly naming Israel, decried the strikes as counterproductive to peace efforts. This position was notable given President Donald Trump’s reported dissatisfaction with Netanyahu’s decision, signaling rare discord between the U.S. administration and Israel on this issue. Qatar and other Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, expressed outrage, and Qatar’s prime minister accused Israel of undermining delicate mediation efforts while prioritising military actions over diplomatic solutions.
These developments must be understood within a broader context of nearly two years of conflict sparked by the 2023 Hamas attack and the ongoing Gaza crisis that has resulted in over 64,000 deaths. Netanyahu’s hard-line coalition has insisted on full disarmament of Hamas and the release of all Israeli hostages as conditions for any peace agreement, a stance fiercely opposed by Hamas, which refuses to disarm or release all captives without a comprehensive agreement addressing Palestinian statehood.
The Israeli strike in Qatar and subsequent diplomatic fallout have drawn concern from hostage families in Israel, who fear the disruption of negotiations may imperil the release of captives. Meanwhile, questions persist over Israel’s broader regional ambitions—particularly regarding Syria, Lebanon, and the Golan Heights—as Araghchi highlighted Israel’s “colonial project” aimed at territorial expansion.
Araghchi’s call for unity among Arab, Muslim, and Asian nations against Israel’s policies reflects longstanding tensions in the region, intensified by recent events. Whether these exactly translate into coordinated political or military responses remains to be seen, but the deepening divide and the involvement of global powers underscore the fragility of peace prospects in the Middle East. The international community remains sharply divided, with ongoing debate over how to balance legitimate security concerns, regional sovereignty, humanitarian needs, and the pursuit of a lasting resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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