Khamenei: Killing Valuable Members of Hezbollah Will Not Bring Group to Its Knees

A handout photo made available by the Iran's Supreme Leader office shows, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei greets to the crowd during a meeting with military personnel and veterans of the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war, in Tehran Iran, 25 September 2024. EPA/IRAN SUPREME LEADER OFFICE HANDOUT

Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday that Israel’s killing of top Hezbollah commanders in Lebanon will not bring the party to its knees.
"They martyred some effective and precious members of Hezbollah. This undoubtedly caused damage to the group, but not enough to bring the party to its knees”, said Khamenei in a meeting with military personnel and veterans of the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war.
“Hezbollah’s organizational human structure is much too strong”, he added, noting that “victory will ultimately be on the side of the Palestinian and Lebanese resistance”.
He accused Israel of killing civilians because it is unable to defeat its enemies, and placed the responsibility for the escalation in Lebanon on Washington.
Israel intensified its attacks on Lebanon when pagers used by hundreds of members of Hezbollah exploded almost simultaneously in Lebanon and Syria last week, killing at least nine people — including an 8-year-old girl — and wounding thousands more.
‘America Knows and Intervenes..’
The Iranian leader accused Washington of knowing despite assertions that it was not previously aware of Israel's plans. “The United States knows and intervenes as well”, he stated.
He added that the US administration “needs to ensure that the Zionist entity achieves victory” before the US presidential elections in November.
‘Do Not Underestimate Hezbollah...’
For his part, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi posted a message on his X social network late on Tuesday, saying, “Do not ever underestimate Hezbollah's ability to defend Lebanon against any aggression”.
“Hezbollah's true power is rooted in its own capacities and popular support. It is more than capable of flattering the bases and colonies of the Israeli regime,” he added.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian had previously stated that "Hezbollah alone cannot confront a state that is defended and supported by supplies from Western and European countries, as well as the United States".