Iran said it was not involved in the operations and attacks launched by Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, on Israel, the nation’s foreign ministry spokesperson said during a press conference on Monday.
Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani rejected reports of Iran’s involvement in the Saturday raids that have killed 700 Israelis and led to the capture of dozens more.
Israel has since counterattacked on the Gaza Strip, launching hundreds of attacks that have killed more than 400 Palestinians so far and destroyed complete neighborhoods in the blockaded city.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said there was no proof Tehran was behind the latest attacks on Israel but he admitted that there are long-standing relations between Iran and Hamas.
Kanaani said, “Anyone who threatens the Islamic Republic of Iran should know that any foolish action will be met with a devastating response.”
Iran’s support for Palestinian groups is part of a comprehensive network of militias and armed groups it backs across the Middle East, giving Tehran a strong presence in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen, as well as Gaza.