Latest news with #Iran-led
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Exclusive: Hezbollah Says It Won't Join Fight After US Attacks Iran
"Iran is a strong country capable of defending itself, logic dictates that it can confront America and Israel," a Hezbollah spokesperson said in a message to Newsweek late Saturday. "Hezbollah remains committed to all matters agreed upon since the ceasefire." Hezbollah signed a ceasefire with Israel last November, just over a year after the Palestinian Hamas movement launched a surprise attack against Israel, sparking a regional conflict that drew in the Iran-led Axis of Resistance coalition. Israel and Hezbollah have since continued to accuse one another of violating the truce. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out strikes in recent days against the group's leadership, special forces and military infrastructure in Lebanon, citing "intelligence indicating Hezbollah's attempts to rebuild its capabilities." "Despite the attacks carried out by the Israeli enemy," the Hezbollah spokesperson added, "the party has remained committed to the agreement." Hezbollah had previously indicated to Newsweek that the group would not intervene directly in support of Tehran after Israel launched a sweeping series of strikes against Iran last week, setting off daily exchanges of fire between the longtime foes. Yet Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Friday that Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem "hasn't learned from his predecessors and is threatening to act against Israel." He urged that "the Lebanese proxy be careful and understand that Israel has lost patience with the terrorists who threaten it." The Hezbollah spokesperson with whom Newsweek spoke the following day emphasized that Qassem, who assumed the helm after Israel killed longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah last September, has "supported" Iran through his statements, and that future actions may affect the group's calculus. "Therefore, the issue remains subject to developments," the Hezbollah spokesperson said. "However, Iran certainly has its own military capabilities." Trump first announced via Truth Social late Saturday, early Sunday local time in Iran, that the U.S. had completed a "very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan." The strikes came after more than a week of speculation of forthcoming U.S. military intervention, fueled by aircraft movements, the evacuation of nonessential staff and U.S. citizens in the region as well as Trump's own threats to the Islamic Republic and its leadership, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant had particularly been in focus given that current and former Israeli officials had long assessed only the U.S. military's Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) "bunker buster" bombs would be capable of destroying the heavily fortified underground facility located beneath a mountain around 20 miles from the city of Qom. Addressing the nation from the East Room late Saturday, Trump said that "Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated." He indicated that he was not immediately planning to pursue further military action against Iran but threatened to do so "if peace does not come quickly." Iran has always denied seeking a nuclear weapon, but the country has substantially ramped up uranium enrichment since Trump abandoned a multilateral nuclear agreement with Iran and major powers during his first administration in 2018. Since Trump assumed office again in January, Tehran and Washington have engaged in five rounds of talks toward securing a new agreement through which Iran's nuclear program would be subject to restriction in exchange for sanctions relief. A sixth round of negotiations had been scheduled for last Sunday, but was canceled after Israel launched its unprecedented series of attacks against Iran, killing senior commanders and nuclear scientists as well as targeting military sites and nuclear facilities. Shortly after the Israeli campaign began, Israeli officials alleged that Iran had obtained enough nuclear material to produce 15 nuclear bombs. Iran has responded to Israeli attacks by launching hundreds of missiles and drones against Israel over the past week. Iranian officials had warned that U.S. bases in the region could be subject to retaliatory action as well if the U.S. became directly involved in the conflict. Other Axis of Resistance groups in the Middle East, including Iraq's Kataib Hezbollah and Yemen's Ansar Allah, also known as the Houthi movement, have also warned of potential attacks against U.S. positions in the region in the event of a U.S. strike against Iran. About an hour after Trump announced the U.S. operation against Iran on social media, the IDF issued a heightened state of alert for Israel, restricting the public from engaging in all but "Essential Activity." Iran later conducted a new around of missile strikes against Israel, followed by an IDF report of Israeli strikes being conducted in western Iran. Reached for comment, the Iranian Mission to the United Nations shared with Newsweek a social media statement alongside a letter in which Iranian Permanent Representative to the U.N. Amir Saeid Iravani expressed to U.N. leadership his condemnation of what he called "unprovoked and premeditated acts of aggression" by the U.S. and urged the U.N. Security Council to take action. "The United States and the bloodthirsty Zionist Regime of Israel shall be held fully accountable for these flagrant violations of international law and must face the grave consequences thereof," the Iranian Mission said.
Newsweek
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Exclusive: Hezbollah Says Won't Join Fight After US Attacks Iran
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A spokesperson for Hezbollah told Newsweek that the Iran-aligned militant group did not have immediate plans to retaliate against Israel and the United States after President Donald Trump ordered direct U.S. strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities. "Iran is a strong country capable of defending itself, logic dictates that it can confront America and Israel," a Hezbollah spokesperson said. "Hezbollah remains committed to all matters agreed upon since the ceasefire." Hezbollah signed a ceasefire with Israel last November, just over a year after the Palestinian Hamas movement launched a surprise attack against Israel, sparking a regional conflict that drew in the Iran-led Axis of Resistance coalition. Israel and Hezbollah have continued to accuse one another of violating the truce, with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carrying out strikes in recent days against the group's leadership, special forces and military infrastructure in Lebanon. "Despite the attacks carried out by the Israeli enemy," the Hezbollah spokesperson added, "the party has remained committed to the agreement." Hezbollah had previously indicated to Newsweek that the group would not intervene directly in support of Iran after Israel launched a sweeping series of strikes against Tehran last week, setting off daily exchanges of fire between the longtime foes. Yet the Hezbollah spokesperson emphasized that Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem, who assumed the helm after Israel killed longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah last September, has "supported" Iran through his statements, and that future actions may affect the group's calculus. "Therefore, the issue remains subject to developments," the Hezbollah spokesperson said. "However, Iran certainly has its own military capabilities." This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
Leaders
3 days ago
- Politics
- Leaders
US Envoy Warns Hezbollah Against Iran-Israel War Involvement
The US special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack has warned Hezbollah against participating in the Iran-Israel conflict. During his first Beirut visit, Barrack met with Lebanese officials, including Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, emphasizig, 'That would be a very, very, very bad decision,' referring to Hezbollah's potential involvement. Barrack spoke after meeting Berri and reaffirmed US opposition to Lebanon's armed group participating in the war. Hezbollah's Cautious Stance Amid Tensions Hezbollah condemned Israel's strikes on Iran but did not declare support or plans to intervene, since the group faced significant losses last year fighting Israel, ending with a ceasefire in November. As a result, Hezbollah's influence weakened, once seen as a key part of the Iran-led 'axis of resistance.' In response to the Iraq-Israel conflict, Lebanon's foreign ministry said it was working to prevent Lebanese involvement. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun highlighted ongoing efforts to maintain stability and control arms proliferation. According to the ceasefire, Hezbollah must withdraw fighters north of the Litani River, about 20 miles from Israel's border. The Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers are the only armed forces in this zone. Israel is supposed to fully withdraw from Lebanon but retains strategic positions. Lebanon also increased efforts to disarm Palestinian armed groups, who have controlled refugee camps for decades. US Support and Ongoing Regional Tensions Barrack expressed hope that chaos would subside, leading to peace and prosperity. Despite this, Israel continued strikes in Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah. Recently, an Israeli attack in Kfar Juz killed two people, and another in Barish injured one. Israel claims to have killed two Hezbollah members in recent airstrikes. The situation remains tense, with fears of further escalation in the region. Short link : Post Views: 13
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
US envoy says Hezbollah involvement in Iran-Israel war would be 'very bad decision'
The US special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack on Thursday warned Lebanese group Hezbollah against getting involved in the war between its main backer Iran and Israel. Barrack, who is also the US ambassador to Turkey, is on his first visit to Beirut, where he met top Lebanese officials including parliament speaker Nabih Berri, an ally of Hezbollah. "I can say on behalf of President (Donald) Trump... that would be a very, very, very bad decision," Barrack said after his meeting with Berri, responding to a question on what the US position would be on any involvement by Lebanese armed group Hezbollah in the war. The group condemned Israel's strikes on Iran when the conflict erupted on Friday, but did not announce its intention to intervene in support of Tehran. Hezbollah suffered devastating losses in its war against Israel last year, which ended with a ceasefire agreement in November. The war heavily weakened the group, which was once seen as the most powerful and influential component the so-called Iran-led "axis of resistance". Reacting to the Iran-Israel war, the Lebanese foreign ministry said last week that it was "continuing its contacts" to spare the country from being dragged into any conflict. In a statement shared by the Lebanese presidency after his meeting with Barrack, President Joseph Aoun said that "communications are ongoing to achieve the goal of weapons monopoly at both the Lebanese and Palestinian levels, and will intensify after stability returns... to the region". According to the ceasefire agreement, Hezbollah must pull back its fighters north of the Litani river, roughly 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the border with Israel, leaving the Lebanese army and United Nations peacekeepers as the only armed parties in the area. Israel is required to fully withdraw its troops from Lebanon, but it has kept them in five positions it deems "strategic". Lebanon has also recently amped up efforts to disarm Palestinian armed groups, which for decades had been in charge of Palestinian refugee camps in the country. Barrack also said on Thursday that Washington was "committed to help... so what we have altogether is hope, and that chaos will subside soon, and that out of that will come the blossoming of peace and prosperity". Despite the ongoing ceasefire, Israel has repeatedly attacked Lebanon, saying it would continue to strike the country until Hezbollah was disarmed. An Israeli strike on Kfar Juz, south Lebanon, killed two people on Wednesday, while another strike injured one person in Barish, according to the Lebanese health ministry. Israel said it killed two Hezbollah members in its attacks. lk-lar/jos/nad/jsa
France 24
3 days ago
- Politics
- France 24
US envoy says Hezbollah involvement in Iran-Israel war would be 'very bad decision'
Barrack, who is also the US ambassador to Turkey, is on his first visit to Beirut, where he met top Lebanese officials including parliament speaker Nabih Berri, an ally of Hezbollah. "I can say on behalf of President (Donald) Trump... that would be a very, very, very bad decision," Barrack said after his meeting with Berri, responding to a question on what the US position would be on any involvement by Lebanese armed group Hezbollah in the war. The group condemned Israel's strikes on Iran when the conflict erupted on Friday, but did not announce its intention to intervene in support of Tehran. Hezbollah suffered devastating losses in its war against Israel last year, which ended with a ceasefire agreement in November. The war heavily weakened the group, which was once seen as the most powerful and influential component the so-called Iran-led "axis of resistance". Reacting to the Iran-Israel war, the Lebanese foreign ministry said last week that it was "continuing its contacts" to spare the country from being dragged into any conflict. In a statement shared by the Lebanese presidency after his meeting with Barrack, President Joseph Aoun said that "communications are ongoing to achieve the goal of weapons monopoly at both the Lebanese and Palestinian levels, and will intensify after stability returns... to the region". According to the ceasefire agreement, Hezbollah must pull back its fighters north of the Litani river, roughly 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the border with Israel, leaving the Lebanese army and United Nations peacekeepers as the only armed parties in the area. Israel is required to fully withdraw its troops from Lebanon, but it has kept them in five positions it deems "strategic". Lebanon has also recently amped up efforts to disarm Palestinian armed groups, which for decades had been in charge of Palestinian refugee camps in the country. Barrack also said on Thursday that Washington was "committed to help... so what we have altogether is hope, and that chaos will subside soon, and that out of that will come the blossoming of peace and prosperity". Despite the ongoing ceasefire, Israel has repeatedly attacked Lebanon, saying it would continue to strike the country until Hezbollah was disarmed. An Israeli strike on Kfar Juz, south Lebanon, killed two people on Wednesday, while another strike injured one person in Barish, according to the Lebanese health ministry. Israel said it killed two Hezbollah members in its attacks.
