Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem offered "all forms of support" to Iran in its fight against Israel and the US, in a speech delivered on Thursday night.
Qassem stated that Iran’s nuclear program and uranium enrichment efforts were intended for “peaceful purposes, which it seeks to serve and advance its people.”
“It does not harm anyone in the slightest way; rather, it represents a great scientific contribution to the advancement of Iran and the region, relying on its own capabilities without foreign tutelage,” Qassem said.
He further argued that the world does not want “Iran to be a beacon of faith, knowledge, and freedom that shines throughout the region and the world, and that would be beneficial to Iran and the oppressed.”
Qassem then turned his criticism towards US President Donald Trump, specifically for his threats to attack Iran in support of Israel.
“America is leading the region into chaos and instability, and the world into open crises, and will only bring it shame, disgrace, and failure. Iran has the right to defend itself, and the peoples of the region and the free people of the world have the right to stand with the great leader and with Iran in one trench,” Qassem continued.
He also reaffirmed Hezbollah’s commitment to standing alongside Iran against the United States in this conflict, stating, “We stand with our independence, the liberation of our land, and the freedom of our decisions and choices.”
Qassem then called on all free people to rally around the Ayatollah and the people of Iran.
"We call on all free people, the oppressed, the resistance fighters, scholars, and those with sound opinions to raise their voices loudly and demonstrate strength, courage, and support by rallying around the noblest and most honorable leadership of Imam Khamenei"
"Our unity is the way to thwart the hegemonic projects and contribute to thwarting the goals of the aggression," Qassem said.
US official told Hezbollah that it would be 'a very bad decision' to join conflict
A top US official visiting the Lebanese capital on Thursday discouraged Tehran-backed armed group Hezbollah from intervening in the war between Iran and Israel, saying it would be a "very bad decision."
US special envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack, who also serves as ambassador to Turkey, met Lebanese officials in Beirut as Iran and Israel traded more strikes in their days-long war and as the US continues to press Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah.
After meeting Lebanon's Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a close ally of Hezbollah, Barrack was asked what may happen if Hezbollah joined in the regional conflict.
"I can say on behalf of President (Donald) Trump, which he has been very clear in expressing as has Special Envoy (Steve) Witkoff: that would be a very, very, very bad decision," Barrack told reporters.