From Iran’s perspective, a rationale for supporting Lebanon’s Hezbollah was that the group constituted a ‘forward defence’ for Iran against Israel in that Hezbollah could use its position near Israel’s borders and its extensive arsenal of rockets to deter Israel from trying to attack Iran. However, that asset has largely vanished following Hezbollah’s devastating losses in the conflict with Israel last autumn, ultimately forcing the group to back down from its demand for a ceasefire in Gaza as a condition for a ceasefire on the Lebanon front. In effect, as I have noted before, Hezbollah was defeated in that encounter.
While one should not rule out occasional rockets or projectiles coming at Israel’s north from Lebanon, major Hezbollah participation in this conflict should not be expected.
It is against this background that one should read Hezbollah’s statement on Israel’s strikes against Iran’s nuclear program and military leadership. The statement contains unsurprising condemnation of Israel’s actions, accuses the U.S. of coordinating with Israel, and calls for people to stand with Iran, but it contains no indication of a readiness on Hezbollah’s part to take military action to support Iran. This is because Hezbollah simply does not have the capability to take on Israel in another full-blown confrontation. While one should not rule out occasional rockets or projectiles coming at Israel’s north from Lebanon, major Hezbollah participation in this conflict should not be expected.
In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Statement issued by Hezbollah regarding the Israel aggression against the Islamic Republic in Iran:
Hezbollah strongly condemns the evil Israeli aggression that targeted the Islamic Republic in Iran, which constitutes a dangerous escalation in the course of the Zionist slipping away from all the restraints and principles with wholesale American cover and oversight, and confirms that this enemy does not embrace any logic or laws, and only knows the language of killing, fire and destruction, and has come to defiantly commit stupid acts and undertake adventures that are an alarming indication of setting the entire region on fire, in service to its aggressive aims and save itself from its internal crises.
All the efforts that have been expended during the past to preserve stability and security in the region have been blown up and aborted by the enemy government, exposing regional and international security to grave dangers whose ramifications may lead to an undesirable outcome. The peoples and states of the region must be aware that if this aggression is not confronted with rejection, confrontation and standing alongside Iran and its people, this criminal entity will become more aggressive and tyrannical and will strengthen the projects of Israeli and American hegemony over the region, harming its people’s interests, and stealing its resources.
The Islamic Republic was keen in the past to restrain itself and not be dragged int aggressive Israeli provocations and actions, and it was open to all international initiatives to defuse the crisis, while adhering to its natural right to produce peaceful nuclear power that promised development, progress and well-being for its people.
Hezbollah affirms that this aggression would not have happened without direct American agreement, coordination and cover, which Washington is trying to wash its hands of in order to prevent any ramifications against it.
The Israeli enemy has crossed all red lines, thinking that it thus changes the equations, but it will discover that the great Iranian people will cling further to their legitimate natural rights and will forcefully defend their freedom, dignity and independence.
Hezbollah affirms that this aggression would not have happened without direct American agreement, coordination and cover, which Washington is trying to wash its hands of in order to prevent any ramifications against it. As Hezbollah expresses its total solidarity with the Islamic Republic in Iran in terms of its leadership and people in the face of this dangerous attack, it affirms that the likes of these attacks won’t weaken Iran, but will rather make it stronger and more solid in confronting the dangers, and more determined to defend its sovereignty and security.
Hezbollah expresses deepest condolences to the Imam Sayyid Ali al-Khamana’i (may his shadow last long), the president of the Republic, the Iranian government, the Revolutionary Guard’s leadership, and the dear Iranian people for all the noble martyrs who departed in this treacherous aggression, and asks God to cover them with His wide mercy. Hezbollah also affirms that this pure blood will only be a curse on this criminal entity, by the permission of God.
Friday 13 June 2025
17 Dhu al-Hijja 1446 AH
Documents referenced in this article are available in the original Substack version.
Published originally on June 13, 2025.
