Hezbollah chief hails Iran’s support, reaffirms resistance against US-Israeli aggression

Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem has expressed gratitude to Iran for its support of Lebanon, saying the US and Western countries do not want the Islamic Republic to serve as a model of resistance and justice, but instead seek to turn it into a follower of their interests and influence.

In a televised speech on Thursday marking the 37th anniversary of Imam Khomeini’s passing, Sheikh Qassem praised the achievements of the Islamic Revolution, saying that despite numerous challenges, Iran had advanced on all fronts and supported liberation movements.

“The Iranian Islamic Revolution, despite all the difficulties it faced, progressed on all levels and supported liberation movements. The Iranian Islamic Revolution emerged based on its Islamic heritage and opposition to oppression and occupation, and declared itself to be neither Eastern nor Western,” he said.

Sheikh Qassem thanked Tehran “for helping us restore our rights and our land in the face of Israeli and American aggression, despite the major battles it is itself confronting.”

The chief of the Lebanese resistance movement noted that Western powers oppose Iran’s independent path and resistance-oriented model.

“The West and the United States do not want Iran to be a model of resistance and justice; rather, they want it to follow their interests and tyranny. Lebanon’s resistance is inspired by the approach and ideas of Imam Khomeini, but we fight for our own land and our own people,” Sheikh Qassem emphasized.

Turning to Lebanon, Sheikh Qassem criticized direct negotiations between the Lebanese government and the Israeli regime in Washington, describing the US-mediated talks as humiliating and unacceptable.

“The outcome of the futile, humiliating, and disgraceful direct negotiations is completely unacceptable to broad segments of the Lebanese people," Sheikh Qassem said.

The Washington Declaration, he said, lays the fundamental groundwork for surrendering Lebanon to the project of the so-called ‘Greater Israel’.

"When the primary objective of any agreement is the disarmament of the resistance, it means that such an agreement destroys Lebanon’s strength and constitutes an existential threat aimed at the genocide of Lebanon’s resistant people,” Sheikh Qassem stated.

He added that the joint declaration by the United States, Israel, and the Lebanese government was intended to weaken Lebanon and create internal discord.

He denounced the talks, saying they aim to destabilize the country and sow division among Lebanese factions, enabling Israel to achieve politically what it failed to achieve through war.

Sheikh Qassem also rejected a purported security process carried out under the banner of a ceasefire.

“Creating a security process under the slogan of a ceasefire is empty and illusory. We seek only a comprehensive end to the aggression and the withdrawal of Israel. The ceasefire must be comprehensive, and there should be no distinction between southern Lebanon and other regions. As long as occupation exists, the resistance will continue,” he said.

He added that Hezbollah has never pledged to refrain from responding to attacks and would continue to do so as long as they persist.

“We have given no one any commitment not to confront aggression, and as long as this aggression continues, we will confront them with full force," he said.

"As long as our villages are insecure, bombed, destroyed, and their people are being killed, the Zionist settlements will not be safe either, and they will witness our courage and steadfastness. We will fight the aggressors until we drive them from our land and put an end to their attacks.”

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The Hezbollah leader also said that the primary objective must be “Lebanon’s sovereignty, and the only way to achieve that is to stop Israel’s aggression” against the Arab country.

He also stressed that no one has the right to interfere in the internal affairs of the Lebanese people to shape their political, economic, and social life.

“We seek national unity in confronting aggression, and that is a source of strength for all of us,” the Hezbollah leader noted.

Sheikh Qassem stressed that the Lebanese government must fulfil its responsibilities and address the internal divisions that have emerged as a result of its political choices.

“We call on the officials to stop this ridiculous and insulting spectacle that they have called direct negotiations. Through the unity of all the people and support for sovereignty, we will become stronger, and this will undoubtedly force the enemy to surrender,” he added.

The agreement reached in Washington on Wednesday requires a “complete cessation” of fire by Hezbollah and the evacuation of all of the resistance movement’s “operatives from the South Litani Sector.”

Hezbollah has not been a party to the talks and stresses that it will not abide by any agreement that would undermine Lebanese sovereignty and benefit the Israeli regime.

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