Hassan Nasrallah, director of the Lebanese group Hezbollah, gave a four-hour wide-ranging interview on Sunday, touching on a number of topics, including changing White House administrations, the turmoil of the economy ravaging his home, and the conflict. continued with Israel.
Speaking to Al-Mayadeen’s friendly network a week before the anniversary of the massacre of Iran’s Qasem Soleimani by an American drone, Hezbollah’s secretary-general dismissed US President Donald Trump as “cunning” and “megalomanic.” and warned that, due to its mercurial nature, the U.S. military strike in the area in the days before Trump’s departure could not be eradicated.
UNIFIL Patrol walks past a poster of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nassrallah in southern Lebanon
(Photo: Reuters)
Nasrallah accused Washington of “imposing on Israel things they had not even dreamed of,” citing U.S. recognition of Israeli settlements in the West Bank as illegal “per se,” as well as the free ribs that the Israeli air force has enjoyed in recent years in Syria and southern Lebanon.
“Murt [Hezbollah’s top general Imad] Mughniyeh and Soleimani were the result of US-Israeli cooperation, ”said the Beirut-based director.
When asked about new President Joe Biden, Nasrallah only said that Jerusalem was “concerned” about the changing regimes in Washington, and reassured his followers that even though talks between Iran and the US ally resumed soon, Tehran would not negotiate on behalf of Hezbollah.
“Nasrallah, just like the Houthis who felt a similar threat to Israel earlier this month, are both direct tools in Iran’s system,” Col. (res.) Anan Wahabi of Haifa University, a senior lecturer at the Israel National Defense College, told The Media Line.
“Ioran is worried, especially in these days of change [U.S.] administrations, which are the most dangerous times when things can spiral out of control. “
Hassan Nasrallah (c) meets Iranian Commander Ali Khamenei (R) and kills Iranian General Qassem Soleimani
In the past few days, President Trump has threatened Iran by using force, while reports have surfaced of Israeli submarines and U.S. forces making their way towards the Gulf of Persia. Last month, the Washington Post called up Pentagon officials who said the President had actively asked about possible plans for an attack in Iran after his election defeat.
“Tehran is afraid of Trump, so he is working for his agents, even though it is very uncomfortable at the moment for Hezbollah to engage in a possible uprising. error and real battle, “Wahabi explains, noting the domestic challenges facing the organization.
For the past few years, Israeli fighter jets have made several flights in Syria, targeting Iranian workers and bases that it sees as a growing threat to its security. In one such attack in July, a Hezbollah soldier was killed, sparking renewed tensions between the group and Jerusalem.
Nasrallah has vowed revenge for the man’s death, and on Sunday he called for revenge.
“We still have the oath, and Israel knows this,” he said. “We have powers that the enemy is unaware of, that only a few of them know. We save them … so that our enemies will be surprised. “
Iranian-backed militia waving Hezbollah and Syrian flags
(Photo: Archive)
Commenting on his group’s ongoing effort to collect advanced guided missiles, Lebanon’s most powerful man said: “Israel knows that it has not stopped, and will not. It’s really progressive – both qualitatively and verbally. He Hezbollah has twice as many round missiles as it did a year ago. ”
But col. (ret.) Jacques Neriah, a Lebanese-born expert on Lebanese politics from the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, is very skeptical of these claims. “We’re already in December, if they had the ability or will to hurt Israel without fear of a horrific reaction, it would have happened by this time,” he told The Media Line.
“Nasrallah will not work now because he does not want to apologize to Israel, he is waiting for the White House to change hands.” It also seems that he does not have the capabilities for such a move. “
“Finally, there are the domestic issues as well,” continued Neriah, former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s foreign policy adviser. “Lebanon is falling apart. Hezbollah must pay attention to his constituents, in terms of funding, medicine. U.S. sanctions are consuming its stores. He can’t deal with Israel right now. “
Hezbollah fighter in South Syria
(Photo: AP)
“There is no chance of that happening,” Neriya said. “On the contrary. Despite the criticism, Hezbollah has not grown stronger. Taken over by the black market, he uses Iranian drugs and medicine, which are desperately needed in Lebanon, to raise U.S. dollars and to finance operations. “
“As time goes on, Nasrallah has more control over the government. It is no coincidence that the government thought it was almost a few weeks ago. Hezbollah put the brakes on. “
Wahabi agreed. “The idea of forming a government without Hezbollah is far-reaching. It’s impossible, ”he said.
“It will be part of any future government and will continue to make an impact, but it will be reintroduced. Hezbollah needs to be more pragmatic, to reduce its image, to offer some concessions, especially on much-needed economic reform. ”