Iran today welcomed the news of the “cessation of the attack” by Israel on Lebanon, following the implementation of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Lebanese Shia movement Hezbollah, which is financially and militarily supported by Tehran.
“Iran welcomes the news of the cessation of the attack by the Zionist regime against Lebanon,” said the spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esmail Baghaei, in a statement, referring to the Israeli state, which Tehran does not recognise.
Iran “strongly supports the Lebanese government, nation, and resistance,” the spokesperson added, calling on the international community to “apply pressure” on Israel to end the war in Gaza.
Supporting the Palestinian cause has been a cornerstone of Iran’s foreign policy since the establishment of the Islamic Republic in 1979.
Impact of the war on Hezbollah
The war in Lebanon dealt a significant blow to Hezbollah, whose leader, Hassan Nasrallah, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut in September. Several high-ranking officials within the Iran-aligned movement have also been killed.
Iranians today expressed scepticism about the implementation of the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon.
“I hope it lasts,” said Mostafa, a student in Tehran, speaking to AFP. However, he added, “I don’t believe it will, because they (the Israelis) fundamentally seek war.”
The ceasefire in Lebanon will allow Israel to “focus on the Iranian threat,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Tuesday, without providing further details.
“We hope there will be no war anywhere, but this is not something we can predict,” commented Yeganeh, another student.
Reaction in Iranian media
Newspapers printed before the ceasefire took effect at dawn in Lebanon today welcomed the development.
“This is an admission of defeat for Netanyahu,” read the headline of the conservative newspaper Javan, which noted that the Israeli prime minister had pledged “the complete elimination” of Hezbollah.
“The missiles of Hezbollah have done their job,” stated Kayhan, another conservative newspaper, whose director is appointed by Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
“Netanyahu is forced to accept a ceasefire after suffering heavy blows from Hezbollah,” said Moztaba Ferdosipour, a Foreign Ministry official, on state television last night.
Also read: Palestine hopes ceasefire will “contribute to end of violence”
Source: ANA-MPA/AFP
