Hezbollah thanks Iran, Houthis for missile response to Israel

The Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah expressed "profound" gratitude to Iran and Yemen's Houthi rebels for their recent missile attacks on Israel. Hezbollah described these attacks as a response to Israeli bombings in Lebanon and a message of "moral, political, and on-the-ground commitment" from Iran.

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The Iranian response with missiles to the Zionist entity in defense of our Lebanese people is a message of moral, political, and on-the-ground commitment from the Islamic Republic towards Lebanon.

In a statement, Hezbollah emphasized its appreciation for Iran's "loyalty" and the "valuable support" of the Houthis in deterring Israel. The group noted that these actions, which followed Israeli bombardments in Iran, were in retaliation for attacks on southern Beirut suburbs and ongoing violations of the ceasefire agreement.

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We in Hezbollah, on behalf of our people, the families of our martyrs, the faithful, the displaced, and on behalf of every free and honorable person in our homeland, deeply appreciate this loyalty from Iran, as well as the valuable support of Ansarulá (the Houthis) of Yemen (...) to deter the Zionist entity.

Hezbollah urged the Lebanese government to seize this opportunity to rectify its official relationship with Iran. The group believes aligning with Tehran and leveraging Iranian support, alongside popular resolve and internal agreements, will help achieve national objectives. These include liberating occupied land, facilitating the return of displaced people, reconstruction, and preserving national sovereignty. Hezbollah also called for an end to direct negotiations with Israel, advocating for indirect talks supported by Iran and a strengthened resistance.

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This Iranian support for our legitimate rights, and its bearing of material and political costs, reaffirms that it is Iran that supports Lebanon, and not the other way around.