Quds force commander demands Israel leave Lebanon as Iran's deputy FM threatens Italy, Romania

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds force commander Esmail Qaani issued a stark warning to Israel, demanding its immediate withdrawal from Lebanon. "You Zionists must leave all of Lebanon. This land is the arena of resistance and steadfastness, not a playground for occupiers," Qaani stated on social media, threatening that Israel would be "forced to retreat in defeat tomorrow" if it did not comply. Meanwhile, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, targeted European nations, specifically Italy and Romania. He accused them of international responsibility for permitting the United States to utilize their air bases for attacks against Iran. Gharibabadi cited UN General Assembly Resolution 3314, asserting that providing territory for another state to conduct aggression constitutes an act of aggression. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte had previously told Fox News that 500 US planes had taken off from Italian bases to support "Epic Fury," Washington's operation alongside Israel. This statement ignited a political row in Italy, where Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government has consistently denied authorizing the use of Italian territory for direct military action against Iran. Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto responded by stating that Italy acted in full compliance with its constitution and international treaties. He clarified that Rome authorized exclusively technical and logistical, non-kinetic activities, and refused requests outside these parameters. Crosetto expressed surprise at Rutte's remarks, suggesting they conveyed a "totally misleading message" by conflating authorized support flights with combat operations. Opposition leaders in Italy have demanded further explanations from the government regarding the use of its bases.

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You Zionists must leave all of Lebanon. This land is the arena of resistance and steadfastness, not a playground for occupiers.