Hezbollah Chief: Iran Withstood Aggression, Emerged Stronger

Date: 21 June 2026 - 23:05

News ID: ۱۵۱۱۸۳

BEIRUT (Dispatches) – Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem declared on Sunday that Iran has emerged from the war with the United States and Israel “more powerful than ever”, as Lebanese communities along major roads erected banners expressing gratitude to Tehran for insisting on a permanent end to Israeli aggression against Lebanon.
“The Islamic Republic, which single-handedly repelled large-scale aggression, has succeeded in humiliating America and Israel,” Sheikh Qassem said in a televised address broadcast by Al-Manar TV. “Iran will emerge from the war with the U.S. with its head held high. It will become a pillar for all freedom-loving people in the world.”
The Hezbollah chief emphasized that Iran has proven it will not retreat from its rights despite the enormous costs of the war.
“Iran withstood the aggression and emerged stronger than before the war. It is a supporter of the resistance, an ally to its neighbors and friends, and capable of ensuring collective security for the region’s countries without needing America or its allies,” he said.
Sheikh Qassem outlined three primary objectives of the U.S.-Israeli aggression against Iran—and declared that all had failed.
“Israel sought to end the resistance through its war on Iran but did not achieve this goal. The aggression failed to realize its objectives, even though the Zionist side remains hopeful of changing the situation,” he said.
He specifically noted that Iran’s uranium enrichment program remains intact, its missile program continues as a defensive capability capable of striking the enemy, and the Islamic Republic in Tehran remains firmly in place.
“Israel is an expansionist entity that will not be satisfied with all of Palestine’s lands, nor with occupying the Golan and beyond—it seeks control over the entire region, as proven by events and facts,” Qassem stated.
Across Lebanon, public displays of gratitude to Iran have emerged along major thoroughfares. Banners carrying messages of appreciation for Iran were displayed along the main road connecting Beirut to Rafic Hariri International Airport, one of the capital’s busiest routes.
The banners featured images of the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and the current Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, alongside the message: “Thank you to loyal Iran.”
According to local reports, the displays were intended to express appreciation for Iran’s emphasis on the termination of Israeli aggression against Lebanon in the recently signed U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding.
Ali Ammar, a member of the Loyalty to the Resistance parliamentary bloc, said Iran has consistently supported the resistance movement and remained committed to its pledges. “The Islamic Republic of Iran has proven its commitment to supporting the resistance and has always stood by it,” Ammar stated.
Last Sunday, Hezbollah issued a formal statement expressing “profound gratitude” to Iran’s leaders, forces and people “for their steadfast support of Lebanon, its people and
its resistance, and for their insistence that Lebanon be included in any understanding leading to the cessation of war”.
Sheikh Qassem also addressed the ongoing Lebanon ceasefire negotiations, warning that any agreement that gives the Israeli regime freedom of action “means the continuation of aggression” and that the resistance “will not accept such a proposal”—a position that has remained consistent over the past fifteen months.
“Israel will not accept any proposal that constrains its aggression,” Qassem warned, urging the Lebanese government to “utilize the capabilities of the resistance and Iran to strengthen Lebanon’s position” and to “take advantage of the closing of the Strait of Hormuz as a powerful tool”.
The Hezbollah chief reiterated the group’s refusal to disarm, stating that “disarming the resistance would, in fact, strip Lebanon of its defensive capability and serve as a prelude to annihilation, something we will never accept”.
He further criticized the Lebanese government for “making a free concession to Israel by entering into direct peace talks with it,” warning that such negotiations serve only to protect Israel’s interests.