Hezbollah unlikely to join renewed war unless Iran faces existential threat, Lebanese official says
Hezbollah is unlikely to join a renewed war between the US and Iran unless Tehran's leadership faces an existential threat, a senior Lebanese official has told The National . The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, explained that Hezbollah's intervention would depend on whether Iran and its ruling system face survival rather than simply coming under renewed…
A senior Lebanese official has disclosed that Hezbollah is unlikely to join any renewed conflict between the US and Iran unless Tehran's leadership faces an existential threat. According to the official, who spoke anonymously, such intervention would depend on Iran and its ruling system facing survival rather than merely enduring renewed American attacks.
The official revealed that Hezbollah would have joined the fighting if Ayatollah Khamenei, the late Iranian supreme leader, had been killed, and they even alerted the Americans about this possibility. The ongoing Middle East conflict first broke out in February following Israeli and US airstrikes. Two days later, in response to the assassination of Khamenei, Hezbollah fired rockets at northern Israel, leading to an Israeli bombing campaign across various parts of the country and the occupation of areas in southern Lebanon.
Despite signing a US-brokered framework agreement with Lebanon in June, Hezbollah, not a party to the agreement, has rejected it but refrained from fighting Israeli troops. Concerns are rising that hostilities could resume following the US midterm elections on November 3, despite periodic easing of direct US-Iran military confrontations.
The Lebanese official also highlighted that despite significant losses during the three-year conflict with Israel, Hezbollah still possesses weapons stockpiles. The recent US-facilitated security and military talks between Israeli and Lebanese delegations at Tampa, Florida, were deemed "very good" by the official, dismissing reports of their failure.
The Lebanese delegation aims for an end to Israeli attacks, withdrawal of Israeli forces, and disarming Hezbollah, while an expanded role for the Lebanese army is also part of the framework. However, disarming Hezbollah remains a contentious issue domestically and internationally, hindered by its military strength, Iranian backing, and the Lebanese army's limited capabilities.
The Lebanese state remains committed to disarming Hezbollah, prioritising its own interests in the process. Concerns persist that a direct confrontation between the Lebanese army and Hezbollah may trigger internal conflict, with some advocating for a stronger approach, despite potential costs and accusations of the state's lack of decisive action.
Written by urgent.news from The National UAE's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
