Iran's Top Military Man Concerned About Gaza Conflict Escalation

Mohammad Bagheri, the Chief of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces, has continued regime criticism of Israel's reprisal attacks in Gaza after its proxy Hamas declared war on the Jewish state on October 7.

In a phone call with Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu, General Bagheri said, "We are profoundly concerned about the continuation of widespread and brutal crises against civilians. Such ruthless behavior is intolerable, and independent governments should react seriously to it."

Defense Minister Shoygu underscored Russia's stance on the need for a ceasefire and the protection of civilian lives in the region, IRNA state news agency reported.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also expressed concerns about the Gaza conflict potentially spreading into a regional crisis, according to Interfax news agency. He also described attempts to blame fellow sanctioned nation and war ally Iran for the crisis as provocations.

The comments come as regime officials in the political and military domains continue to fan the flames of unrest, threatening to activate its proxies on Israel's borders.

Just days ago, the semi-official Fars news agency reported Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian warning, "If the Zionist aggressions do not stop, the hands of all parties in the region are on the trigger".

Iran provides financial support and weapons to groups such as Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist organization by both the United States and the European Union. Iran also supports Hezbollah, a Lebanese militia group known for its periodic confrontations with Israel, situated on its northern border.

Iran has claimed that any Israeli reprisal attacks, which have resulted in casualties in Gaza, will be met with a response from what Iran refers to as the "axis of resistance." The coalition includes anti-Israeli and anti-Western groups in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen.