Exclusive: Hezbollah Says Won't Join Fight After US Attacks Iran
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A spokesperson for Hezbollah told Newsweek that the Iran-aligned militant group did not have immediate plans to retaliate against Israel and the United States after President Donald Trump ordered direct U.S. strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.
"Iran is a strong country capable of defending itself, logic dictates that it can confront America and Israel," a Hezbollah spokesperson said. "Hezbollah remains committed to all matters agreed upon since the ceasefire."
Hezbollah signed a ceasefire with Israel last November, just over a year after the Palestinian Hamas movement launched a surprise attack against Israel, sparking a regional conflict that drew in the Iran-led Axis of Resistance coalition.
Israel and Hezbollah have continued to accuse one another of violating the truce, with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carrying out strikes in recent days against the group's leadership, special forces and military infrastructure in Lebanon.
"Despite the attacks carried out by the Israeli enemy," the Hezbollah spokesperson added, "the party has remained committed to the agreement."
Hezbollah had previously indicated to Newsweek that the group would not intervene directly in support of Iran after Israel launched a sweeping series of strikes against Tehran last week, setting off daily exchanges of fire between the longtime foes.
Yet the Hezbollah spokesperson emphasized that Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem, who assumed the helm after Israel killed longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah last September, has "supported" Iran through his statements, and that future actions may affect the group's calculus.
"Therefore, the issue remains subject to developments," the Hezbollah spokesperson said. "However, Iran certainly has its own military capabilities."
This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
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