Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly gone into hiding in response to Israel’s strikes outside Beirut that killed the leader of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah. Iran reached out to Hezbollah and other proxy forces in the region to determine a response to Nasrallah’s killing. Khamenei praised Nasrallah as “the flag-bearer of resistance” and called for avenging his death. Several other top Hezbollah commanders have been killed, and investigations are ongoing regarding the explosives hidden in communications devices used by Hezbollah. In response to Nasrallah’s death, protests erupted in Tehran, blaming the United States for providing weapons to Israel.
Hezbollah has been engaged in escalating violence against Israel since their support for Gaza, launching rockets and missiles. Netanyahu praised the targeting of Nasrallah as essential to achieving Israel’s goals and bringing displaced Israelis back to their homes. He warned of significant challenges ahead and advised Iran against attempting to strike back. Iran’s U.N. Ambassador called for an emergency council meeting over Nasrallah’s killing, warning Israel against attacking its diplomatic premises.
The death of Nasrallah has led to heightened tensions in the region, with Iran considering the possibility of Israeli agents infiltrating their ranks. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian partially blamed the United States for Nasrallah’s killing due to their support for Israel. The Revolutionary Guards are conducting a large-scale operation to inspect communications devices used by Hezbollah and are investigating the possibility of Israeli infiltration. Iranian protesters took to the streets in Tehran, denouncing Israel and the U.S. and mourning Nasrallah’s death.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Nasrallah as “the terrorist,” and his killing as necessary to achieve Israel’s objectives. He anticipated challenges ahead and warned Iran against retaliating. Iran’s U.N. Ambassador called for an emergency council meeting over the attack that killed Nasrallah and warned Israel against targeting its diplomatic premises. The situation remains volatile, with ongoing violence between Hezbollah and Israel and the threat of further escalation looming. Iran’s Supreme Leader remains in hiding, while investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding Nasrallah’s death and possible Israeli infiltration.
