"Hezbollah": We will not intervene if the United States launches a "limited" attack against Iran

SadaNews - A Hezbollah official told the French Press Agency today (Wednesday) that the party will not intervene militarily if the United States launches "limited" strikes against Iran, while warning of a "red line" that is targeting Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

The official, who requested anonymity, stated: "If the American strikes against Iran are limited, the position of Hezbollah is to not intervene militarily. But if the goal is to overthrow the Iranian regime or to target the leader personally, then the party will intervene at that time."

The U.S. State Department issued a directive two days ago for the departure of all non-essential diplomats and their families from Lebanon amid rising tensions with Iran.

This measure has increased Lebanese concerns that Lebanon could turn into a "theater" amid the confrontation between Washington and Tehran, according to a Lebanese ministerial source for Asharq Al-Awsat, especially since Hezbollah, supported by Iran, had previously announced its alignment with the Iranian position, at a time when Lebanon is engaged in internal communications with the party and external ones with friendly countries to neutralize Lebanon from any confrontation.

Lebanon has received international warning messages regarding the repercussions of Hezbollah's involvement in the confrontation, with some messages indicating that Tel Aviv would respond forcefully if the party were to engage in war with Iran, targeting Lebanese infrastructure including Beirut Airport.

Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Naeem Qassem announced last month that the "party will not remain neutral in facing any American-Israeli aggression targeting Iran or any other arenas in the region," pointing out that "how to act, when, and the details will be determined according to the battle and the interest at that time."

In a speech delivered during a solidarity meeting with Iran and its leadership in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Qassem noted that "Lebanon is undergoing continuous military and political pressures, with the threat of war remaining, in an attempt to force it to surrender."

Qassem stated that "various entities, in the past two months, have conveyed direct inquiries to the party regarding its stance in the event of a large-scale war against Iran... These individuals were tasked with obtaining a commitment from Hezbollah not to intervene and not to be associated with it," adding: "The intermediaries clearly stated that the United States and Israel are considering several possibilities, including striking Hezbollah first then Iran, or striking Iran first then Hezbollah, or striking both together." He pointed out that in all these "possibilities, the party is included, and they seek to determine whether fragmentation will lead them to a result."