Islamic regime ‘will not abandon’ Hezbollah, Araghchi promises in message to Qassem

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has publicly reaffirmed Tehran's commitment to funding and supporting its network of proxies, including Hezbollah. In a message directed to Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem, Araghchi promised that the Islamic Republic "will not abandon support for movements seeking rights and freedom until the very last moment."

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will not abandon support for movements seeking rights and freedom until the very last moment.

This pledge of continued backing comes as Lebanon has emerged as a significant obstacle in ongoing US-Iran ceasefire negotiations. While Araghchi indicated that a ceasefire in Lebanon is a key term for any potential deal with Washington, Israel has strongly voiced its objections. Israeli officials argue that Washington cannot negotiate on behalf of Jerusalem, and that including Lebanon in such an agreement would be a "strategic mistake" with long-term consequences for Israeli security.

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for Tehran, abandoning proxies at this junction would be “political suicide,” and that ending its support would signal to both its allies and enemies that it is significantly weakened.

Experts note that for Tehran, abandoning its proxies at this juncture would be tantamount to "political suicide," signaling a significant weakening of its regional standing. While Iran aims to sustain its support, the practical depth of this assistance is increasingly influenced by its own economic capabilities. The regime's ability to smuggle weapons has been hampered, forcing a reliance on alternative financial methods like crypto-payments. Despite Tehran's economic struggles, this support is expected to persist as long as possible.

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Israel has an obligation to protect its residents regardless of any external factor” and such an agreement would be “a strategic mistake that we will pay for for years to come.”

Hezbollah's violation of an existing ceasefire, following the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has intensified the conflict and led to new domestic legislation in Israel aimed at demilitarizing the organization. The large-scale displacement caused by the conflict has further fueled these efforts. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly concerned about the potential inclusion of Lebanon in any agreement with Iran, emphasizing Israel's obligation to protect its citizens regardless of external factors.

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Israel needs to say to the US: ‘No.’