On September 27, Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem reiterated that the group will not hand over its weapons to the Lebanese state. Speaking at a memorial marking one year since the killing of his predecessor Hassan Nasrallah, he said Hezbollah faces an “existential confrontation” with the “Israeli-American threat.”
Qassem urged Lebanon’s government to abandon its policy of “exclusive weapons in state hands,” arguing that Hezbollah has recovered militarily, rebuilt homes, and shown political strength in local elections. He claimed Israel, not Lebanon, must implement UN Resolution 1701.
Meanwhile, senior security officials report that Iran—reeling from renewed snapback sanctions—continues to arm and finance Hezbollah. Ali Larijani, Iran’s national security chief, attended the ceremony in Beirut, meeting Lebanese leaders before praising Hezbollah as the “fortress of the Lebanese people” and an “asset for the Islamic nation.” His visit underlined Tehran’s full backing of Hezbollah as the spearhead of its “resistance project.”
Larijani also voiced support for Hezbollah’s outreach to Saudi Arabia, calling for regional unity against Israel. Security officials believe Iran is rearming Hezbollah in preparation for another possible conflict with Israel and the U.S., while rebuilding its own missile and air-defense networks with Chinese and Russian aid.