Fazzur Rehman Siddiqui, a research fellow at the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), has shared key insights into the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East in an interview with Sputnik India.
Siddiqui asserted that the Israel-Hamas war could escalate into a broader conflict in the region.
Siddiqui asserted that the Israel-Hamas war could escalate into a broader conflict in the region.
US Attack on Syria and Its Implications
Regarding the US attack on Syria, Siddiqui emphasized that the situation in the Middle East remains critical.
"Today, the situation in the Middle East remains serious. Airports, hospitals, and different areas have been under attack for the last ten to fifteen days", Siddiqui said.
The US attack in eastern Syria, according to Siddiqui, is regarded as an attempt to signal to Iran that it should not interfere in the Hamas-Israel conflict. The United States and Israel are concerned about Iran's alleged support for Hamas and Hezbollah, as it may involve providing substantial weaponry to strengthen Hamas.
Prospects of Pushback From Iran
Siddiqui also discussed the potential for a diplomatic incident due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
The ICWA researcher suggested that Iran has been making statements in recent weeks to solidify its position in the region. While the US has maintained that Iran is not directly involved in the conflict, Israel has consistently pushed for American support by claiming that Iran is directly involved.
The US wants to avoid direct involvement of Iran in the conflict as part of its long-term strategy, the expert underscored.
Signs of Larger Conflict
Addressing Washington's decision to send additional troops and carry out attacks in the Middle East during the Israel-Hamas war, Siddiqui warned that this not only signifies the potential for a larger conflict but also raises concerns worldwide.
"If Egypt, Syria, Jordan, and other neighboring countries join this conflict or there is any reaction from their side, it can spread further", the researcher emphasized.
Siddiqui highlighted an incident in which Israel mistakenly fired a missile at Egypt, causing injuries, and emphasized that such sporadic incidents could escalate the situation. Israel admitted its mistake in this particular incident, but the risk of further complications remains.