Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Defends Hezbollah Amid Israeli Strikes

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has come out in strong support of the militant group Hezbollah, saying it is Lebanon’s best defense against Israel. This statement comes as Israel continues to launch a series of strikes against Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon, which have left at least 1,552 people dead and around 800,000 displaced, according to the UN.

Israel has been conducting airstrikes and ground operations in southern Lebanon since September 23, with the aim of crushing Hezbollah. However, Ayatollah Khamenei remains adamant that Hezbollah is a vital component of Lebanon’s defense. “Hezbollah is the strongest defender of Lebanon and the strongest shield against the greed of the Zionist regime, which has long been aiming at the disintegration of Lebanon,” he said in a statement.

Iran has historically been a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause and has made it a central pillar of its foreign policy. The country does not recognize the State of Israel, referring to it as a “Zionist entity.” The establishment of the Islamic Republic after the 1979 revolution has only strengthened this stance.

Ayatollah Khamenei’s comments were in reaction to the recent deaths of two prominent Hezbollah leaders, Hashem Safieddine and Hassan Nasrallah, who were killed in separate Israeli bombings. Hezbollah had confirmed Safieddine’s death on Wednesday, and he was expected to lead the movement after Nasrallah’s passing.

In a separate development, France hosted an international conference in Paris, which raised a significant $800 million in humanitarian aid for Lebanon. French President Emmanuel Macron, who was joined by Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati, emphasized the need for an immediate ceasefire. “The war must end as soon as possible, there must be a ceasefire in Lebanon,” he stressed.

President Macron also called upon Hezbollah to stop its “provocations” and cautioned Israel that its past military successes in Lebanon do not necessarily equate to victory. The ongoing conflict has created a dire situation in Lebanon, and with international attention focused on the crisis, leaders from around the world are urging both sides to work towards a peaceful resolution.