Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has sent a fresh message of support to Hezbollah, praising the group’s fighters and framing Iran’s position as one of continued resistance against the US and Israel.

Khamenei said there remained “no path forward except jihad and resistance”, making the statement in response to a Hezbollah letter that pledged allegiance to Iran’s Islamic Republic.

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A line drawn with uncommon firmness

The Iranian leader’s remarks were not limited to praise. Khamenei described the defence of Hezbollah as a “strategic mandate” for Iran and said any arrangement meant to end Iran’s conflict with the US would require an unconditional end to Israeli military action in Lebanon.

He called for a complete and unconditional halt to what he termed Israeli aggression against Lebanon. He further linked any deal to preserving Lebanon’s territorial integrity.

Mojtaba had described Hezbollah’s stand as a message that had become “inspiring” for those seeking “liberation from global arrogance”.

A toast to steadfast allies

Khamenei praised former Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah and said the group’s sacrifices had elevated it “from a sapling into a mighty tree”.

He referred to Nasrallah as Hezbollah’s “Master of Martyrs” and credited the group’s fighters with bringing honour to Lebanon across the Islamic world.

He described Hezbollah’s commitment as having helped turn the group into a force associated with “divine victory”.

The affair is far from settled

The remarks come amid heightened regional tensions and underline Iran’s continued political and ideological support for Hezbollah.

By linking any broader settlement to a halt in Israeli military activity in Lebanon, Khamenei has again placed Hezbollah at the centre of Iran’s messaging on the conflict.

The public statement also reinforces the alignment between Tehran and the Lebanese group at a time when the question of Lebanon’s security, territorial integrity and future negotiations remains unresolved.

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FAQs

Q1: What did Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei say about Hezbollah?

Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said there was “no path forward except jihad and resistance” while reaffirming Iran’s support for Hezbollah.

Q2: Why is Khamenei’s message to Hezbollah significant?

The message underscores Iran’s continued backing of Hezbollah and links any broader agreement with the US to ending Israeli military operations in Lebanon.