Iran’s Parliament Chief Admits Direct Contact with Hezbollah Fighters on Lebanese Front

Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s parliament, has acknowledged maintaining direct communication with Hezbollah operatives fighting on the front lines in Lebanon. The admission comes despite repeated Lebanese calls for Tehran to sever its ties with the militant organisation, which is designated as a terrorist group by several Western nations and Israel.Qalibaf’s statement represents a rare public confirmation of the operational links between Iran’s leadership and Hezbollah’s military wing during the ongoing conflict in Lebanon. The revelation underscores the deep integration between Iranian state institutions and the Lebanese militant group, which has long been suspected by Western intelligence agencies but is rarely acknowledged so directly by Iranian officials.The admission occurred amid intensifying fighting in the Rakhil Ali Tahir region of Lebanon, where clashes between Israeli and Hezbollah forces have continued to escalate. Lebanese authorities have repeatedly urged Iran to distance itself from Hezbollah’s military activities, reflecting growing concern in Beirut about the country becoming a flashpoint for regional tensions.The statement reflects the complex dynamics of the conflict, with Iran maintaining active involvement in military operations whilst officially denying direct control over Hezbollah’s actions. Iranian officials typically characterise their relationship with the organisation as ideological support rather than operational command.

Source: Maariv — Original article in Hebrew.