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Memri
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Memri
Pro-Hizbullah Daily: U.S. Interests In Middle East To Become Tehran Target Bank If U.S. Intervenes In Israel-Iran War; Iran Has 'Surprises' To 'Embarrass Washington'
The following report is now a complimentary offering from MEMRI's Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM). For JTTM subscription information, click here. On June 18, 2025, while Arab and Western media increasingly debated whether the U.S. would join the Israel-Iran war to assist Israel, the pro-Hizbullah Lebanese Al-Akhbar daily published two wide-ranging articles that detail the threat posed by Iran to American forces in the Middle East. The articles also relate to harsh consequences they claim the U.S. will face on land and at sea, if it interferes in the fighting. One article reviews the deployment of American forces in the Middle East and suggests that these forces will become "a bank of strategic targets" for Iran, if the U.S. joins the war. A second article states that the Iranian missile arsenal comprises types of missiles that have yet to be revealed, and hints at additional "tactical surprises" in the hands of the Iranians which, according to Al-Akhbar, would "embarrass Washington."[1] The above illustrative photograph appeared with the first article referred to below. The following are the main points raised in the Al-Akhbar articles that appeared on June 18, 2025: One of the articles titled "Washington's Assets in the Region: Valuable Target Bank for Tehran," details the deployment of American forces in the Middle East and the Horn of Africa and states that the U.S. army has more than 50 bases in countries that are allies of the U.S., from the area of the Persian Gulf to Turkey and the Horn of Africa, including "an undeclared presence" of American forces on Israeli territory. The article provides the names of the bases, their locations, and the scope of the deployment of the forces stationed there. According to the article there are 2,500 American soldiers stationed at seven bases across Iraq; 1,500 in Syria, also stationed at seven bases; 2,000 stationed at one base in Turkey; 3,000 across four bases in Jordan; 3,000 across five bases in Saudi Arabia; 9,000 across three bases in Bahrain; 13,000 at one base in Qatar; 5,000 on three bases in the Emirates; and in Oman it says that there are 600 American soldiers stationed at six bases. These numbers don't include the soldiers on several aircraft carriers and destroyers that are already in the region or en route to the Middle East, as well as additional forces on the island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. The article implies that the network of American bases in the Middle East "will become a bank of strategic targets for Iran." A second article titled "Iranian Surprises that Await the Americans: This is What Iran Has Up Its Sleeve" claims that the Iranian missile arsenal contains missiles of a range that has not yet been disclosed, as well as "tactical surprises which are likely to embarrass Washington." It lists the main types of missiles that Iran has, and among other things mentions that Iran has extended the range of its missiles and improved their accuracy so that they can hit a target with an accuracy of seven to 50 meters. The article also claims that Iran has enlarged its missiles' warheads to a weight of two tons, and improved their ability to maneuver and their resistance to the electronic warfare employed by the enemy. It further states that Iran has developed hypersonic missiles, long-range cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles with a range of up to 300 km., and various types of drones with a range of 2,000 km. The article states that Iran focused on developing missiles that will enable it to go to war with the U.S., to attack its bases, and to wear down its forces in the region. It claims that Iran has a large supply of long-range missiles to enable it to wage an open-ended war against Israel, and that to this end it built "missile cities" across the country that can store great quantities of missiles. According to the article, to date Iran has only revealed that it has missiles with a 2,000 km. range, although it is believed that it actually possesses missiles with a range of 4,000 km, whose existence it chose not to disclose so as not to arouse the concern of countries in Europe. The above photograph, published with the second article referred to in this report, shows the aftermath of an Iranian missile attack on northern Israel. These articles in the Al-Akhbar daily follow similar reports published on June 17 by media outlets affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran-backed militias in Iraq, which highlight the vulnerability of U.S. military bases in the Middle East to Iranian missile strikes,[2] and warn that American interference in the war against Iran will activate the regional axis of resistance and claim "a heavy price" from the U.S. in the Middle East and across the world.[3]
Memri
24-02-2025
- Politics
- Memri
Hizbullah Leader Na'im Qassem At Nasrallah Funeral: We Will Continue On Path Of Resistance 'Even If Our Homes Are Destroyed Above Our Heads;' Israel Must Complete Its Withdrawal; 'The Tyrannical U.S. Will Not Control Us'
The following report is now a complimentary offering from MEMRI's Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM). For JTTM subscription information, click here . On February 23, 2025, Secretary-General of Lebanese Hizbullah, sheikh Na'im Qassem, delivered a 34-minute pre-recorded speech during a mass-event funeral for two Hizbullah leaders, Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safi Al-Din, who were assassinated by Israel on September 27, 2024, and on October 4, 2024, respectively, in a southern suburb of Beirut. [1] In his speech, Qassem declared that his organization would continue on the path of resistance outlined by Nasrallah, "even if our homes are destroyed above our heads." He claimed that Israel had violated the ceasefire agreement with Lebanon and was still occupying territory in the country. Demanding that the Lebanese government ensure a complete Israeli withdrawal, he said that Hizbullah would continue to monitor the state's measures to expel the occupation. Qassem asserted that Hizbullah would not allow the tyrannical" U.S. to control Lebanon. He also said that Hizbullah will fight Trump's "displacement project" of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. We Will Continue On The Path Of Resistance, Even At The Cost Of Our Lives Qassem welcomed the attendees at the funeral and the delegations that he claimed came from all over the world. He said that Nasrallah was "an exceptional Arab and Islamic leader who is a beacon for the free people of the world." He also declared that Hizbullah would continue on the path of Nasrallah, the path of resistance, "even if our homes are destroyed above our heads and we are all killed." Expressing condolences to the families of Nasrallah and Safi Al-Din and of all the martyrs of the resistance, he also blessed the organization's prisoners, vowing, "We will not abandon you to the Zionists." The Hizbullah secretary-general declared that Hizbullah had "confronted the 'Israeli' entity and behind it, the greatest tyrant, America, which has waged war on Gaza, Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq, and Iran… The pressure on the resistance, its fighters, and its environment was unprecedented, but so was the corresponding level of resilience." Israel Must Complete Its Withdrawal From Lebanon Qassem claimed that Hizbullah had agreed to Israel's request for a ceasefire because it has no wish to continue fighting "without a political or battlefield horizon." He further stated that Hizbullah had fulfilled its part of the ceasefire agreement, while Israel had not, and that now the Lebanese government has to assume its responsibility to ensure the complete Israeli withdrawal from the country. The "Tyrannical " U.S. Will Not Control Our Country; We Will Fight The Trump "Displacement Project" The Hizbullah secretary-general asserted that the resistance is currently strong " in numbers and arms " and will not allow "the tyrannical" U.S. to control Lebanon, declaring, " Resistance is fundamental and our ideological and political choice. As long as the occupation exists, we will continue following up with the state to expel it," and that Hizbullah "will confront Trump's displacement project [of Palestinians from Gaza] alongside all liberation forces in the region." Qassem pledged that Hizbullah would participate in the reconstruction of Lebanon as a "strong and just" country on the basis of the Ta'if Agreement (signed on October 22, 1989, in the Saudi city of Ta'if, the agreement included wide-ranging political reform, and led to the conclusion of the civil war in Lebanon). Addressing his opponents in Lebanon, Qassem said, "Do not think of driving a wedge between us and the Amal Movement – we are united in our stance." He added that Hizbullah "supports the role of the Lebanese army and stands by it." It is notable that additional senior officials of the Islamic resistance axis and among the Iran-backed militias in Iraq, Yemen, and Syria, posted messages and statements to the media in which they paid their last respects to Nasrallah, and vowed to continue on his path of jihad and resistance. Some of them also sent representatives to the funeral. [2] The full text of this post is available to subscribers. Please login or register to request subscription information from MEMRI .
Memri
29-01-2025
- Politics
- Memri
Hizbullah Leader Na'im Qassem: Al-Aqsa Flood Achieved Its Goal; Israel Failed To Destroy Hamas And Hizbullah; Israeli Withdrawal From Lebanon Should Not Be Delayed; Resistance Will Act At Time And In Manner It Sees Fit
The following report is now a complimentary offering from MEMRI's Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM). For JTTM subscription information, click here . On January 27, 2025, at the conclusion of the 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Hizbullah in Lebanon that was signed on November 27, 2024, and following an announcement by the White House on the January 26 about the extension of the ceasefire until February 18, 2025, [1] Secretary-General of Lebanese Hizbullah, sheikh Na'im Qassem, delivered an approximately 50-minute televised speech. In his speech, Qassem claimed that the Al-Aqsa Flood campaign had achieved its goal and that Israel had failed in its attempt to destroy Hamas and Hizbullah. He declared that Israel must withdraw from Lebanon and that his organization would not agree to extend the ceasefire agreement "by even one day." He also asserted that the resistance reserved the right to operate at a time and in a manner that it sees fit. [2] "The Goal Of Al-Aqsa Flood Was Achieved, And Israel's Project To Destroy The Resistance And Hamas Was Defeated" The Hizbullah secretary-general opened his speech with remarks pertaining to the January 21, 2025 assassination of sheikh Muhammad Hamadi, the Hizbullah official responsible for the western Beqaa district of Lebanon in the village of Mashgharah in the same area. He said that Hamadi was murdered at "the hands of traitors" and that although the investigation of the incident was still ongoing, "suspicion points toward the Zionists." Referring to recent incidents in the Gaza Strip, Qassem described them as a victory for the Palestinian people and all the peoples of the region, saying, "The goal of Al-Aqsa Flood was achieved, and Israel's project to destroy the resistance and Hamas was defeated." He said that the "aggression" directed at Gaza and Lebanon was "an unrestrained act of hostility backed by the U.S. and the West," and that the U.S. and Israel wanted to destroy the resistance but it faced them "with legendary resolve and martyrdom-driven determination." Qassem added that it was Israel that requested a ceasefire and Hizbullah and the government of Lebanon acquiesced, which he claimed was a victory in itself. While noting that Israel's "informational dominance, control over communications, artificial intelligence, and airpower" were critical factors in the strikes directed at Hizbullah, he claimed that the resistance remained strong and had agreed to hold its fire when the government of Lebanon came to the decision to defend its borders and bring about the withdrawal of Israel from its territory. He declared, "This is an opportunity for the state to fulfill its duties and test its political capabilities." "Israel's Continued Presence In Lebanon Is An Act Of Aggression Against Lebanese Sovereignty; The Resistance Has The Right To Act As It Sees Fit Regarding The Form, Nature, And Timing Of The Confrontation" The Hizbullah leader said that his organization preferred not to respond to Israel's violations of the ceasefire agreement, despite "feelings of humiliation and retaliatory actions." He described the scenes of the displaced Lebanese returning to their homes in South Lebanon, in the Beqaa Valley, and in the southern suburb of Beirut as "a victory scene," and claimed, "We achieved victory because we returned, and the occupier will be forced to leave and withdraw." Declaring that the resistance fighters "never left the battlefield," and the resistance remains "steadfast and strong," he also said that the American sponsor of the agreement is the same one who sponsors the Israeli "aggression" and failed to play its role, yet "we decided not to give any pretext. The breach of the agreement proves Lebanon's need for the resistance." Qassem asserted that, "The tripartite equation of the army, the people, and the resistance, which stopped Israel from reaching Beirut and the south of the Litani River, is as clear as the sunlight; the problem lies with those who cannot see it, and it will remain radiant." He repeated his demand that Israel should have withdrawn from Lebanon at the close of the 60-day period stipulated in the ceasefire agreement and stated that Hizbullah does not agree to an extension of the ceasefire period "by even one day." He said that the U.S., the UN, France and Israel bear the responsibility for all consequences of delaying the Israeli withdrawal. He also declared that a continued Israeli presence in Lebanon "is an [act of] aggression against Lebanese sovereignty, and everyone is responsible for confronting this occupation: the people, the army, the state, and the resistance. The resistance has the right to act as it sees fit regarding the form, nature, and timing of the confrontation." Two recent statements issued by Hizbullah are notable in the context of Qassem's speech, in which he stressed that a delay in the Israeli withdrawal from South Lebanon is a flagrant violation of the ceasefire agreement, and urges Lebanon to take every action to make it happen, [3] and also encourages violent confrontations between Lebanese citizens and Israeli forces in South Lebanon. [4]
