Exclusive: Hezbollah Declares It Won’t Participate in Retaliation Following US Strikes on Iran

A spokesperson for Hezbollah recently clarified to Newsweek that the Iran-aligned militant group does not have immediate plans to retaliate against Israel or the United States following President Donald Trump’s order for U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The spokesperson emphasized Iran’s capability to defend itself, asserting that “logic dictates” it can confront both America and Israel. This statement comes in the context of a ceasefire agreement Hezbollah entered into with Israel last November, after the Palestinian Hamas movement launched a surprise attack on Israel, triggering a broader regional conflict which included the Iran-led Axis of Resistance coalition.

Both Hezbollah and Israel have each accused the other of breaching the ceasefire, with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reportedly conducting strikes against Hezbollah’s leadership and military infrastructure in Lebanon. Despite these Israeli actions, the Hezbollah spokesperson reiterated the group’s commitment to the ceasefire, stating that they would not intervene directly in support of Iran following Israel’s extensive strikes. This position reflects a careful balancing act, as Hezbollah leaders have been vocal in their support for Iran while also maintaining a cautious stance regarding direct military involvement.

Hezbollah’s new leadership under Secretary-General Naim Qassem, who took over after the death of longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah, has been actively vocal in supporting Iran. However, the spokesperson indicated that Hezbollah’s future actions may evolve based on ongoing developments, stating, “the issue remains subject to developments.” This acknowledgment suggests a readiness to respond to changing circumstances, particularly as tensions continue to rise in the region.

In recent days, President Trump announced via social media that U.S. forces had successfully targeted three key Iranian nuclear sites: Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. These strikes followed a week of heightened military readiness and speculation regarding U.S. intervention in the region, fueled by movements of military aircraft and the evacuation of nonessential personnel from U.S. embassies. During an address to the nation, Trump stated that while he did not plan further immediate military action, he would consider it if peace was not quickly achieved.

Iran, which has consistently denied pursuing nuclear weapons, had been involved in negotiations with the U.S. aimed at securing a new nuclear agreement in exchange for sanctions relief. However, the possibility of reaching a consensus was jeopardized by Israel’s recent military actions, which resulted in the deaths of senior Iranian military figures and nuclear scientists. Consequently, Israeli officials claimed that Iran had amassed enough nuclear material to potentially produce up to 15 nuclear bombs, further escalating tensions.

In response to the Israeli strikes, Iran has launched hundreds of missiles and drones toward Israel and has issued warnings regarding potential retaliatory actions against U.S. military bases in the region if the U.S. escalates its involvement. Other groups within the Axis of Resistance, including Iraq’s Kataib Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthi movement, have also signaled their readiness to attack U.S. positions in the event of direct U.S. aggression against Iran. This complex and rapidly changing political landscape underscores the precarious nature of Middle Eastern relations and the potential for broadening conflict in the region.