After Israeli military officials announced on Saturday that they had successfully eliminated Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in airstrikes on Beirut, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was reportedly moved to a secure location as part of heightened security measures, according to sources cited by Al Arabiya News. This development underscores the escalating tensions in the region and the potential implications for Iranian leadership amidst increasing hostilities.
Khamenei condemned Israel, referring to it as a "usurping, oppressive, and wicked regime," and called upon Muslims worldwide to rally in support of Lebanon. His statements come in the wake of a significant military action that targeted Hezbollah, which has been embroiled in a violent conflict with Israel. Khamenei urged the global Muslim community to confront Israel using "whatever means they have," reflecting the heightened rhetoric and urgency following the reported killing of Nasrallah.
In his remarks, Khamenei emphasized the need for solidarity with Hezbollah, saying, "It is incumbent upon all Muslims to stand by the people of Lebanon and the proud Hezbollah." He framed the situation as one where resistance against Israeli actions is essential, asserting that the Israeli military cannot inflict significant damage on Hezbollah despite its recent offensive. His comments conveyed a message of resilience, aiming to bolster support for the group amid the ongoing conflict.
Khamenei further criticized the Israeli military, stating that they have not learned from their previous conflicts, particularly the year-long conflict in Gaza, and asserted that attacks against civilians, including women and children, would not weaken Hezbollah. He used social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to underline that such acts of aggression cannot bring the organization to its knees, framing the narrative of resistance as central to the identity of Hezbollah and its supporters.
As the situation develops, Khamenei has also called for "All the Resistance forces in the region" to unify and offer support to Hezbollah, indicating a potential mobilization of allied groups in response to the Israeli actions.
The Israeli military’s claims came after a series of airstrikes targeting Hezbollah's central command in southern Beirut. These strikes reportedly destroyed several buildings in Dahiyeh, a known stronghold for the militant group. Witnesses described the scene as one of chaos, with powerful explosions rocking the city, leaving behind significant destruction and multiple large craters in the ground.
While the militant group has yet to officially confirm Nasrallah's fate following the airstrikes, the implications of his potential death could reverberate throughout the region, affecting Hezbollah's operational capacity and potentially prompting a shift in the dynamics of resistance against Israel. The situation remains fluid, with both regional and international observers closely monitoring the developments.
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