Iran defends Hezbollah’s right to arms against disarmament efforts

Iraj Masjedi, Brigadier General, Deputy Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force for Coordination Affairs, declared that Iranian forces have significantly bolstered their capabilities and stand prepared to respond decisively to any threats.

Masjedi addressed recent regional developments and underscored Iran’s steadfast position on key security issues, Caliber.Az reports, citing Iranian media

Describing the proposal to disarm Lebanon’s Hezbollah as an “American-Zionist plan,” Brigadier General Masjedi categorically rejected its feasibility. “Certainly, neither the people of Lebanon nor the Resistance force of Hezbollah will accept this plan, and this will never be achieved,” he affirmed. He emphasized that the weapons held by Hezbollah are fundamentally “the weapons of the people of Lebanon to defend this land against the aggressions of the Zionist regime,” adding, “The issue of disarmament is not a new topic, but it is by no means practical.”

Masjedi further highlighted the heightened state of readiness of Iran’s armed forces following the recent 12-day conflict sparked by Israeli aggression. “The capabilities of our forces have increased, and they are ready to respond to any threat,” he stressed, issuing a clear warning to adversaries contemplating further attacks.

The conflict was ignited on June 13, when Israel launched a series of what Iranian officials described as blatant and unprovoked attacks, resulting in at least 1,064 fatalities across Iran, including military commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians. The United States escalated the conflict by bombing three Iranian nuclear facilities, actions widely condemned as grave violations of international law.

In retaliation, the Iranian Armed Forces executed targeted strikes against strategic sites in the occupied territories, as well as the al-Udeid air base in Qatar, which serves as the largest American military installation in West Asia.

By Vafa Guliyeva