Hezbollah: Resistance thwarted “Greater Israel” plan, Iran broke US hegemony
BEIRUT, June 17 (YPA) – Lebanon’s Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem praised what he described as a major victory achieved by the Iranian people and resistance movements in confronting the US-Israeli aggression, referring to them as peoples seeking freedom and independence.
In a statement, he praised Iran’s role in supporting regional resistance groups and linking the region’s various fronts, saying this support contributed to forcing Israeli occupation to halt its aggression.
Qassem said the developments in the confrontation with Iran should not be underestimated, arguing that the war aimed to overthrow the Iranian system and end its “dignified existence,” but ultimately failed.
He added that, in his view, the American hegemonic project collapsed in the face of Iranian resilience, and that Iran has emerged as an influential regional and global actor amid a shifting balance of power.
Turning to Lebanon, he said Hezbollah continues to face ongoing Israeli attacks, accusing Israeli occupation of seeking to expand its control in Lebanon and eliminate the party militarily, politically, and socially.
He described the confrontation as an open-ended “existential battle,” claiming that the resistance has so far disrupted the occupation’s plans and prevented it from achieving its objectives in Lebanon.
Qassem also cited operational figures, saying the resistance has carried out thousands of attacks against Israeli military vehicles and positions, which he said reflects its continued field capabilities.
He urged Lebanese authorities to maintain a unified national position on confronting the occupation, without linking national demands to internal political disputes or external conditions, and stressed that any negotiations should be based primarily on restoring Lebanon’s sovereignty.
He concluded by calling for reliance on the three pillars of strength—faith, will, and capability—affirming that the resistance can continue until Lebanon is fully liberated, while rejecting any settlement that compromises sovereignty or national principles.