Newsletters
Hezbollah called on Lebanese authorities Tuesday to repair their official relationship with Iran and use Tehran’s support to advance Lebanon’s national objectives, days after Iran launched missiles at Israel in response to Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs.
In a statement, the Iran-backed group described Tehran’s attack as a sign of its “moral, political and field commitment” to Lebanon and its people.
“We call on the Lebanese authorities to seize the available opportunity and correct their official relationship with the Islamic Republic in a way that serves the interests of both states,” Hezbollah said.
The appeal came after Lebanon’s president and prime minister last week called on Tehran to stop interfering in the country’s affairs following Hezbollah’s rejection of a conditional ceasefire with Israel.
Hezbollah urged Lebanese officials to benefit from Iran’s support as negotiations seek to end the wider Middle East conflict.
The group called on authorities to “use this Iranian support to achieve our national objectives, particularly in light of the formation of a new regional umbrella that has emerged from the Islamabad negotiations.”
Pakistan has been mediating between the U.S. and Iran in efforts to end the regional conflict.
Iran has insisted that any agreement ending the broader war must include a ceasefire in Lebanon.
Iran fired missiles at Israel on Sunday after Israel bombed Beirut’s southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold.
Tehran warned that it would resume attacks if Israel continued striking Lebanon.
Israel responded to the Iranian missile attack, but both sides halted the latest round of hostilities on Monday.
Hezbollah said Iran’s action in response to the Israeli bombardment demonstrated Tehran’s commitment to defending the Lebanese people.
Hezbollah opposes recent direct talks between Lebanese and Israeli authorities that are being mediated by Washington.
The group has rejected a conditional ceasefire with Israel, while Lebanese leaders have emphasized the authority of the state in managing the country’s foreign relations.
Hezbollah entered the Middle East war on March 2 by firing rockets at Israel after the killing of Iran’s supreme leader in U.S.-Israeli strikes.
The fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has since become part of the broader regional conflict involving Iran and the U.S.
On Tuesday, the heads of the Pakistani and Lebanese armed forces met in Pakistan and agreed to strengthen military cooperation.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
