Iranian president accuses US of ordering assassination of Hezbollah leader Nasrallah

Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian has directly accused the United States of ordering the assassination of Lebanese Shiite Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, following his confirmed death in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut.

Speaking on state television, Pezeshkian condemned Washington’s role in the incident, asserting that the US cannot evade responsibility, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

“The world should not forget that the command was given from the US,” President Pezeshkian stated. “The Americans will never be able to absolve themselves of responsibility.”

Nasrallah, a key figure in Hezbollah, was killed in an Israeli air force attack on Friday, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The strike targeted Hezbollah’s leadership while they were holding a meeting in Beirut.

Reports from the Al Hadath TV channel, citing Israeli sources, indicated that the airstrike used powerful aerial bombs to penetrate underground bunkers where Hezbollah leaders were located. The attack caused significant destruction, with at least six nearby buildings collapsing as a result of the raid.

Hezbollah, considered a major player in Lebanon’s political and military landscape, has long been in conflict with Israel. Nasrallah had been the leader of the Shiite militant group for over three decades, and his death marks a significant escalation in tensions between Israel, Hezbollah, and their regional allies.

The strike has sent shockwaves across the Middle East, with reactions pouring in from Hezbollah's supporters and allies, including Iran, a major backer of the organization. Tehran has vowed that Nasrallah's death will not go unanswered, raising concerns of potential retaliation and further instability in the region.

By Khagan Isayev