Iran’s Rezaei: Any US deal conditional on end to Lebanon war

Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei has said that Tehran considers Lebanon’s security part of the security of the entire West Asia region and regards Beirut’s southern suburbs as a “red line”.

In an interview with Al Manar TV broadcast on Thursday evening, Rezaei discussed the latest developments in Lebanon and the region. He praised Lebanese people of all sects and groups for their unity in confronting Israel.

He also praised Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem for his role in “leading the resistance” at the current stage, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri for his role in Lebanon’s political arena. He also paid tribute to those killed in Lebanon and Hezbollah.

Regarding any possible understanding with the United States, Rezaei said Tehran had set a number of conditions, foremost among them an end to wars in West Asia, particularly in Lebanon, and Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanese territory it has taken control of. He also called for an end to the war in Gaza and Israeli attacks on Syria.

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He said developments in the countries of the region had become interconnected, with any security instability in one country affecting others by increasing investment costs and reducing development opportunities.

Rezaei described Iranian-Lebanese relations as “historic and deep-rooted”, citing centuries-old ties between scholars from the two countries. He stressed that Tehran would continue to support Lebanon with all its available capabilities.

On developments on the ground, Rezaei said Israel is no longer able to advance towards Beirut’s southern suburbs or Beirut, arguing that its losses at the hands of Hezbollah over the past three or four months, together with the “Iranian threat”, had made such an advance impossible.

He added that the southern suburbs and Beirut are a “red line” for Iran, stressing that Tehran is monitoring developments in the areas “with the utmost seriousness”. He said Israel would ultimately be forced to withdraw from the Lebanese territory it had entered.

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