Hezbollah backs Iran–US deal as key path to ending Israel war

The Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Naim Qassem, has stated that an agreement between Iran and the United States would be one of the most reliable ways to end the war with Israel.

Hezbollah leader also called on Lebanon to refrain from direct negotiations with Israel, arguing that such talks serve only Israeli interests and amount to “free concessions” by the Lebanese authorities.

“The Iranian-American agreement to stop the aggression against Lebanon is almost the strongest instrument to halt it. We are grateful to Iran for its care for Lebanon and its people, and we will be grateful to any party that contributes to stopping the aggression. The responsibility for negotiations to achieve Lebanon’s sovereign goals lies with the Lebanese authorities. We are ready to cooperate to achieve five goals: Lebanon’s sovereignty through ending Israeli aggression by sea, land and air; liberation of Lebanese territory through the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the deployment of the Lebanese army south of the Litani River; release of prisoners; return of people to their villages and towns; and reconstruction of the country,” the statement attributed to Qassem read.

He further urged indirect negotiations, stating that such a format would place “strength on the Lebanese negotiator’s side,” while rejecting direct talks, which, he claimed, benefit Israel and provide “free concessions” to the Lebanese side.

Qassem warned that Hezbollah would not withdraw from the battlefield, stressing that the issue of the group’s weapons is an internal Lebanese matter and cannot be part of any negotiations with Israel.

“Nobody outside Lebanon has the right to interfere in weapons, resistance, and the internal affairs of the state. This is an internal Lebanese issue and not part of negotiations with the enemy. After achieving the five goals, Lebanon will shape its internal situation within a national security strategy, using its forces, including the resistance,” he said, referring to remarks attributed to President Joseph Aoun about launching discussions on a comprehensive defence strategy.

Qassem added that Hezbollah’s resistance is aimed at stopping aggression and preventing its objectives, stressing that the group will continue its operations.

“We do not know when the time will come. We will not leave the battlefield until God grants us success, and we ask Him to make it soon,” he noted.

By Jeyhun Aghazada