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Upon his arrival in Beirut on Friday, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, pledged Iran’s ongoing support for Hezbollah, emphasizing the intertwined security interests of Lebanon, Iran, and the broader region. Amirabdollahian was greeted by members of Hezbollah, along with representatives from Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, all of which receive support from Iran. Amidst calls for the U.S. to urge Israel to halt its military actions in Gaza, Iran has been a vocal advocate for these groups.
The resurgence of hostilities along the Lebanon-Israel border by Hezbollah on October 8, breaking nearly two decades of peace, was a direct response to Hamas’s attacks on southern Israel, igniting the current conflict. Hezbollah has stated its attacks on Israeli military positions will cease once Israel stops its operations in Gaza.
During his statement at Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport, Amirabdollahian lauded Hezbollah and the Lebanese resistance for their strategic and effective stance, affirming Iran’s commitment to supporting Lebanon’s resistance movements as a matter of regional and national security.
His visit includes scheduled meetings with Lebanese officials and discussions with Hezbollah’s leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.
Coinciding with Amirabdollahian’s visit, Syrian state media reported the downing of two drones near Damascus, allegedly originating from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, though further details were not provided.
Additionally, reports emerged of an airstrike targeting the Mazzeh air base in Damascus shortly after an Iranian cargo plane landed there, though casualty details were not specified. Iran’s presence in Syria, supporting government forces in the ongoing civil war, has been significant, with Israel targeting Iran-affiliated militant bases and Revolutionary Guard members within Syria, maintaining a policy of seldom acknowledging these operations.
