Hezbollah’s Statement on Israel’s Strikes on Iran

From Iran’s perspective, a rationale for supporting Lebanon’s Hezbollah was that the group constituted a ‘forward defence’ for Iran against Israel in that Hezbollah could use its position near Israel’s borders and its extensive arsenal of rockets to deter Israel from trying to attack Iran. However, that asset has largely vanished following Hezbollah’s devastating losses in the conflict with Israel last autumn, ultimately forcing the group to back down from its demand for a ceasefire in Gaza as a condition for a ceasefire on the Lebanon front. In effect, as I have noted before, Hezbollah was defeated in that encounter.

It is against this background that one should read Hezbollah’s statement on Israel’s strikes against Iran’s nuclear program and military leadership. The statement contains unsurprising condemnation of Israel’s actions, accuses the U.S. of coordinating with Israel, and calls for people to stand with Iran, but it contains no indication of a readiness on Hezbollah’s part to take military action to support Iran. 

This is because Hezbollah simply does not have the capability to take on Israel in another full-blown confrontation. While one should not rule out occasional rockets or projectiles coming at Israel’s north from Lebanon, major Hezbollah participation in this conflict should not be expected.  (Ed note: I don't think that it's over yet.)    (Read More)