PODCAST: Israel's next move against Iran may be in Lebanon, Knesset member hints

A Knesset member is warning the leaders of the Islamic Republic in Tehran against striking Israel, as a potential war looms after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

Amit Halevi shared his insider perspective as an Israeli official on the behind-the-scenes discussions surrounding escalating tensions in the Middle East during Iran International's 'Eye for Iran' podcast.

The Israeli lawmaker said Lebanon, where Iran's proxy Hezbollah is based, is crucial in the conflict as he hinted Israel's next move could play out there.

"Israel will not allow that Lebanon will stay a terror state," said Halevi.

The Middle East has been bracing for a possible strike by Iran and its proxies following Haniyeh’s assassination in Tehran, along with the killing of top Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr in an Israeli strike in Beirut hours earlier.

If the Islamic Republic decides to back down, despite it telegraphing revenge, and not retaliate on Israel's soil like it did on April 13, Lebanon may very well turn into a bigger proxy battle field for the two nations.

Israel has not confirmed or denied any involvement in the killing of Haniyeh, but Iran and its allies and proxies are blaming the Jewish state.

Iran managed to lobby Saudi Arabia to say on Wednesday that the assassination of the Hamas leader in Tehran was a “blatant violation” of Iran’s sovereignty.

Halevi said, while the Saudi kingdom, may have said that in public, a different picture emerges behind closed doors.

"MBS, the King of Saudi Arabia understands very well the meaning of a strong Iran," said Halevi.

The Israeli official, who is the chairman of the Israel-Bahrain Friendship Association, said neighboring Arab countries that are part of Abraham Accords, have the same fears as Israel, and secretly support their Jewish neighbor.

"Behind the scenes they know that this religious ideological infrastructure threatens them," he said.

Find out more about the appointment of Yahya Sinwar as the new head of Hamas, how Israel would respond to a potential attack from the Islamic Republic and how neighboring Arab countries would likely react by watching the full episode on You Tube, or listening on Apple, Spotify or Amazon.