Hamas Begs Iran To Threaten Israel, Iran Says ' Umm...Naw '

This is pretty funny. The leaders of Hamas in Gaza are nervous as cats on a hot tin roof with an AH-64 hovering overhead and so they broke down and asked their funders in Tehran to issue a threat to Israel that Iran would come to the aid of Hamas if Israel were to move into Gaza. Well, the mullahs in Iran mulled over that SOS from Hamas and basically said they'd just as soon wait and see. hahahahaha! Here's some of the details from DEBKA:

Hamas appealed to Tehran and Hizballah Thursday, Dec. 25, asking for Iran's support by threatening to intervene if Israel launched an attack on the Gaza Strip, DEBKAfile's Iranian sources report. Hamas' Damascus-based politburo chief Khalad Meshaal phoned an official called Abolfazl at the Iranian embassy and asked urgently for a statement from Tehran that would daunt Israel from attacking.

In Tehran, Iran's national security council convened soon after receiving the Hamas SOS. According to our sources, the forum decided not to reject it out of hand but to inform Meshaal that Iran was awaiting developments and closely following Israel's military operation to see how it developed.

So, you might be asking..."Why wouldn't Iran jump at the chance to do what Hamas asked and lob a threat against Israel?" Well, this seems to be a pretty logical explanation:

Our sources note that the Iranian regime is thinking twice before undertaking military commitments to deter Israel. For one thing, they believe it would have the opposite effect and offer Israel vindication for a major campaign. This would cause Hamas more harm than good.

I think the other reason that Iran is hesitating is this - they aren't real comfy right now in Tehran regarding a possible Israeli strike against the Iranian nukes facilities. If the Iranians were to puff out their chests and threaten war on Israelis in Gaza and Israel, that would be seen as a provocation that Israel could use to further justify an airstrike on Iranian nukes.

Either way, Hamas is finding out that big brother Iran is STILL a long ways away from the front lines with Israel and I hope it's causing the Hamas big boys to be shitting their pants at the moment. I can just see Hamas trying to round up every jihadist in Gaza right now trying to stop any rockets from flying into Israel and every one that does fire, those Hamas leaders are turning another shade of pale.

Tehran deflects Hamas SOS to threaten intervention against an Israeli attack

Hamas appealed to Tehran and Hizballah Thursday, Dec. 25, asking for Iran's support by threatening to intervene if Israel launched an attack on the Gaza Strip, DEBKAfile's Iranian sources report. Hamas' Damascus-based politburo chief Khalad Meshaal phoned an official called Abolfazl at the Iranian embassy and asked urgently for a statement from Tehran that would daunt Israel from attacking. Using their special telephone line, Meshaal also reached Hizballah's leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut to demand a declaration of support for the people of Gaza, including a veiled threat to open a second front against Israel by launching a rocket attack from Lebanon.
Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert meanwhile strongly urged Gazan Palestinians to stand up to Hamas and stop them shooting missiles to ward off an Israeli military operation. He addressed them over al Arabiya television.
In Cairo, foreign minister Tzipi Livni discussed the Gaza crisis with Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak and its foreign and intelligence ministers. She said the purpose of her trip was not to ask Egypt for permission to embark on military action in the Gaza Strip. This decision was solely Israel's, she said.
In Tehran, Iran's national security council convened soon after receiving the Hamas SOS. According to our sources, the forum decided not to reject it out of hand but to inform Meshaal that Iran was awaiting developments and closely following Israel's military operation to see how it developed.
Iran then ordered Nasrallah to refrain from making public threats until Tehran decides on its response to the Hamas appeal. The Hizballah leader was allowed only to make emotional remarks about the Palestinians' "suffering" and their "brave stand" against "Zionist aggression."
Our sources note that the Iranian regime is thinking twice before undertaking military commitments to deter Israel. For one thing, they believe it would have the opposite effect and offer Israel vindication for a major campaign. This would cause Hamas more harm than good. For another, this posture could harm Iranian and Hizballah interests in the Arab arena.