Trump, Netanyahu orchestrated deadly riots to destabilize Iran: Hezbollah chief

The secretary general of Lebanon’s Hezbollah resistance movement has hailed Iran as the fortress of resistance and freedom, saying the United States and Israel orchestrated the recent riots to destabilize the country.

“[US President Donald] Trump and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu incited rioters in Iran with intent to overthrow the [Islamic] establishment, and change the equation there in a way that would best benefit them and serve their interests,” Sheikh Naim Qassem said in a televised speech from Beirut on the occasion of the auspicious Eid al-Mab'ath – the day God chose Muhammad (PBUH) as His final prophet to spread Islam.

He noted that the US president and Netanyahu “were unable to achieve their latest scheme in Iran, as the noble Iranian nation poured into the streets of cities across the country in millions.”

Sheikh Qassem emphasized that the massive pro-establishment rallies in Iran “showed the real public desire and demands,” saying that millions-strong demonstrations cannot be compared to dozens of subversive elements.

The Hezbollah leader added that Washington resorted to riots and acts of terrorism in Iran because it realized it could not weaken the Islamic Republic after decades of sanctions and the so-called maximum pressure campaign.

Sheikh Qassem said that the United States “does not want a free system or people who can govern their state of affairs by themselves. It rather seeks to control nations and their choices, and supports Israel in order to spread its expansionism in the region.”

Ayatollah Khamenei: US president main ‘culprit’ in killings, destruction during recent riots in Iran

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says Iran considers US President Donald Trump the main culprit for the killings and destruction in recent riots.

He emphasized that the Iranian nation, thanks to its resistance, the wise leadership of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, as well as efforts made by authorities and security forces, thwarted the US goal of overthrowing the Islamic Republic.

Sheikh Qassem stressed that Hezbollah believes that “Iran is steadfast and strong, and will remain a fortress of resistance, independence, freedom, and inspiration for the oppressed.”

The Hezbollah secretary-general underscored that enemies “will not be able to defeat millions of Iranian people, who have rallied behind their leader.”

He also stated that “America committed the crime of the century in Venezuela by abducting President Nicholas Maduro,” calling for “a global movement to put an end to the unjustified American arrogance, which solely seeks tyranny.”

‘Sovereignty cannot be established without resistance’

Turning to developments in Lebanon, Sheikh Qassem urged the government to carry out its responsibility of maintaining the country’s sovereignty.

He added that Hezbollah disarmament cannot be discussed when there is zero sovereignty, and the Israeli regime continues to violate the ceasefire agreement.

The Hezbollah chief stressed that defense and retaliation at any time against the recurrent Israeli acts of aggression are legitimate.

He clarified that the Lebanese government's push to have a state monopoly on arms is a US-Israeli demand aimed at restricting Hezbollah.

“The Lebanese nation has no problem with Hezbollah’s arms. The weapons are rather a problem for Israel because they prevent the regime from grabbing more of the Lebanese territories,” Sheikh Qassem stated.

The Hezbollah chief finally emphasized that any concessions to Israel or further compromises would only lead to Lebanon’s greater weakness in the face of the occupying regime.

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