Kamal Kharrazi, advisor to Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, affirmed that Iran will fully support Hezbollah if Israel initiates a large-scale war against Lebanon.
Kharrazi, who also leads the Iranian Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, stated in an interview with the Financial Times that Tehran would have no alternative but to back Hezbollah militarily should such a conflict arise. “In such a situation, we will have no choice but to support Hezbollah with all the means and capabilities available to us,” he emphasized. He further asserted that in the event of a large-scale conflict, “the entire Lebanese people, the Arab countries, and the Axis of Resistance will stand with Lebanon against Israel.”
Under Ayatollah Khamenei’s leadership, through its Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) and Quds Force, Iran has historically provided financial, military, and ideological support to organizations like Hezbollah in Lebanon, as well as various factions in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.
Hezbollah, founded during the Lebanese Civil War in the 1980s with Iranian assistance, has evolved into a major political and military force in Lebanon. Iran’s substantial support has enabled Hezbollah to maintain a strong presence in Lebanese politics and resist Israeli military actions.
In Syria, Iran has backed the Assad regime since the civil war began in 2011, deploying military advisors and offering financial aid, which has been crucial in helping President Bashar Al-Assad regain control over much of the country and combat ISIS.
In Iraq, Iran’s influence is evident through various Shia factions that have been instrumental in fighting ISIS and asserting Shia political power since Saddam Hussein’s fall.
In Yemen, Iran has supported the Houthis (Ansarallah), who have been in conflict with the Saudi Arabia-backed government. This support includes supplying weapons and providing training.
Iran’s backing of these resistance movements is driven not only by regional influence ambitions but also by its ideological commitment to challenging perceived Western and Israeli dominance in the Middle East.
