"Project to eliminate Iran, the resistance failed": Hezbollah chief accuses US of Israeli military ops in Lebanon
Beirut, June 22
Hezbollah Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem accused the United States of enabling continued Israeli military operations in Lebanon, despite multiple calls for cessation of such hostilities, asserting that efforts to eliminate Iran and resistance movements in the region had failed, referring to the recent conflict instigated by US-Israeli coalition forces.
Speaking at the central Ashura council, Qassem said Iran had emerged stronger despite enduring significant sacrifices and demonstrated that it would not relinquish its rights or regional influence.
"The project to eliminate Iran and the resistance in the region has failed," Qassem said, adding that the region was entering a new phase shaped by what he described as the defeat of the "American-Israeli project".
The Hezbollah chief criticised ceasefire proposals that would allow Israel continued military activity, saying such arrangements amounted to a continuation of aggression.
"A ceasefire that grants Israel freedom of action is a continuation of the aggression, and we will not accept it," he said, alleging that Israel had repeatedly violated previous ceasefire understandings.
"Every time we adhered to a ceasefire, the enemy did not," he added.
Qassem stated that any ceasefire agreement must involve a complete halt to military operations by air, land and sea, an end to demolition activities, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied Lebanese territory.
He further claimed that Hezbollah enjoys strong backing from Iran, which he said considers ending aggression against Lebanon and defending the country among its top priorities.
"We are in the stage of dismantling the "Israeli" project, and a ceasefire means a complete cessation of aggression, paving the way for the enemy's withdrawal from our land. A ceasefire means a complete halt to aggression by air, land, and sea, a cessation of demolition operations, and no reinforcement or consolidation of presence in the occupied territories," Qaseem said.
"We have strong support from Iran, which has placed stopping the aggression against Lebanon and defending it as its first priority. Closing the Strait of Hormuz is a powerful weapon, and the Lebanese state must utilise it," he added.
Accusing Washington of supporting Israeli actions, Qassem said the conflict would not have reached its current intensity without US assistance and argued that US President Donald Trump possessed the ability to halt Israeli operations if he chose to do so.
"All this aggression would not have reached this level without American support; therefore, President Donald Trump can stop the aggression," he said.
Qassem also asserted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be unable to reject a direct American demand to end military actions, while reiterating Hezbollah's opposition to any arrangement that does not fully end hostilities.
The Hezbollah leader further claimed that the movement would continue confronting any violations and expressed confidence that Israel's regional project would ultimately fail.
His remarks come amid ongoing diplomatic talks between the US and Iran as part of the technical talks, following the signing of the 14-point memorandum of understanding (MoU) to end the hostilities in West Asia, where the end of the Israeli operation in Lebanon is also a major point.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Interesting how Qassem frames this as an "American-Israeli project" that failed. From what I've read, Iran and its proxies have definitely taken hits recently. But claiming the project to eliminate them failed seems premature - there's still a lot of geopolitical pressure and military strikes happening. Let's see how this "new phase" actually plays out.
As an Indian, I can't help but draw parallels to our own neighborhood conflicts. The idea that a ceasefire with conditions is no ceasefire at all - that's something we see in Kashmir too. But I worry about the nuclear angle here. Iran closing Hormuz could trigger a massive crisis. India needs to use its diplomatic channels wisely. We have good ties with both Iran and the US.
Qassem's claim that Trump can stop the aggression with just a phone call shows how everyone thinks the US controls Israel completely. Reality is more complex. Netanyahu has his own political survival to think about. And Hezbollah saying they're dismantling "Israeli" project while having their own military arsenal - doesn't that make them part of the problem too? 🤔
Respectfully, this is classic Hezbollah rhetoric - blaming the US for everything while positioning themselves as victims. Yes, America supports Israel, but Hezbollah isn't exactly a democratic force either. They have Iranian backing and their own agenda. For India, what matters most is stability in West Asia because of our diaspora and energy security. Hope cooler heads prevail 🙏
"A ceasefire that grants Israel freedom
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