New US-Israeli war on Iran will set fire to entire West Asia region, says Hezbollah leader

The secretary general of the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement has warned the United States and Israel that a fresh round of strikes on Iran would have serious consequences for the entire West Asia region, as Tehran will respond forcefully and decisively to any act of aggression.

“A new war on Iran could set the entire region ablaze this time,” Sheikh Naim Qassem said in a televised speech on Monday evening as he addressed thousands of the group’s supporters who had attended a large gathering in the Lebanese capital, Beirut.

The participants demonstrated their solidarity with Iran and expressed their strong protest against threats against Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

Sheikh Qassem vowed that Hezbollah will always stand with the people of the Islamic Republic and Ayatollah Khamenei.

“Hezbollah believes in Velayat-e Faqih (Guardianship of the Jurist) as both a matter of faith and a fundamental principle,” he pointed out.

Sheikh Qassem said that when US President Donald Trump threatens Ayatollah Khamenei, he is threatening tens of millions of Muslims worldwide who consider him their religious authority.

“Silence is not an option when death threats are directed at Ayatollah Khamenei. We view the threats against him as aimed at us as well. We have full authority to take any measure we deem appropriate,” the Hezbollah chief pointed out.

Sheikh Qassem went on to praise Iran as a beacon of freedom, stating that the Islamic Republic has managed to advance scientifically, socially, morally, and culturally.

Muslims facing ‘major confrontation’ led by US and Israel: Hezbollah chief

The Hezbollah chief says the Musalim world is facing a major US-led campaign backed by its Western allies and the criminal Israeli regime.

The Hezbollah secretary general noted that Iran experienced a blatant and unprovoked 12-day military aggression in June last year, but managed to remain resilient and thwart US-Israeli plots through cooperation and under the wise leadership of Ayatollah Khamenei.

“Enemies recently sought to overthrow the Islamic establishment in Iran by exploiting the socio-economic conditions, and infiltrating vandals and saboteurs into legitimate peaceful protests,” Sheikh Qassem stated.

He slammed the West’s hypocrisy when it comes to concerns for the rights of the Iranian people, pointing to massive public support inside Iran for the leader and the Islamic establishment.

The leader of Hezbollah also asserted Iran's right to a peaceful nuclear program, missile power, and other military capabilities to defend itself in the face of potential threats. He said the Islamic Republic also reserves the right to support the oppressed.

“The United States and Israel are trying to link unfolding developments in Lebanon, Gaza, Syria, Iran, and elsewhere in the region together as part of a broader colonial project,” Sheikh Qassem said.

The Hezbollah leader stated that enemies are hell-bent on striking any resistance initiative, wherever it thrives in the region.

Sheikh Qassem said international mediators have contacted Hezbollah over the past two months, and asked whether the resistance group would stay out of a US-Israeli strike on Iran.

“The mediators told us clearly that Israel and the US are considering whether it would be better to strike Hezbollah first and then Iran, or to hit Iran first and then Hezbollah, or to attack them both simultaneously,” he stated.

Sheikh Qassem highlighted that “Such messages mean that Hezbollah is included and targeted in any potential act of aggression [against Iran]. We are determined to defend ourselves.”

The Hezbollah chief emphasized that the group will not be neutral and that its method of intervention would be chosen based on the circumstances of the battlefield.

Sheikh Qassem also pledged that his group will never surrender.

“With concessions and surrender, we will lose everything. There are absolutely no limits. But with defense, hope endures. We always have various options… Do not threaten us with death. Death is not in your hands. Death is in the hands of God Almighty only,” he concluded.

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