Hezbollah to Stay Out of Conflict Following U.S. Strikes on Iran
A Hezbollah representative informed Newsweek that the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group has no immediate plans to retaliate against Israel or the United States following President Donald Trump’s order for U.S. military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan.
The spokesperson stated, “Iran is a powerful nation capable of defending itself against America and Israel,” reaffirming Hezbollah’s adherence to a ceasefire with Israel signed in November 2024. This truce followed a regional conflict sparked by Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel in October 2023, which drew in Iran’s Axis of Resistance coalition.
Despite the ceasefire, Israel and Hezbollah have traded accusations of violations. Recently, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted strikes on Hezbollah’s leadership, elite units, and military infrastructure in Lebanon, citing evidence of the group’s efforts to restore its capabilities. The Hezbollah spokesperson insisted, “Despite Israel’s attacks, we remain committed to the agreement.”
Previously, Hezbollah told Newsweek it would not directly support Tehran after Israel’s large-scale strikes on Iran last week, which triggered daily cross-border clashes.
However, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned on Friday that Hezbollah’s new leader, Naim Qassem, who replaced Hassan Nasrallah after his death in September 2024, was risking escalation by threatening Israel. Katz urged the group to exercise caution, stating Israel’s patience with “terrorist threats” was wearing thin.
The Hezbollah spokesperson clarified that Qassem has expressed verbal support for Iran, but future developments could alter the group’s stance. “Iran has its own military strength,” the spokesperson added.
Late Saturday, Trump announced on Truth Social that the U.S. had successfully struck Iran’s three key nuclear sites, a move preceded by speculation driven by U.S. military movements, evacuations of nonessential personnel, and Trump’s threats against Iran’s leadership, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Fordow facility, buried under a mountain near Qom, was a primary target, as Israeli officials had long claimed only U.S. “bunker buster” bombs could destroy it. In a Saturday address, Trump claimed Iran’s nuclear enrichment capabilities were “entirely destroyed” but warned of further action if peace was not achieved swiftly.
Iran, which denies pursuing nuclear weapons, has escalated uranium enrichment since Trump withdrew from a 2018 nuclear deal. Since January 2025, the U.S. and Iran held five rounds of talks for a new deal to limit Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief, but a sixth round was canceled after Israel’s recent attacks on Iran, which killed senior commanders and scientists and hit military and nuclear sites. Israeli officials claimed Iran had enough material for 15 nuclear bombs.
Iran retaliated with hundreds of missiles and drones targeting Israel over the past week and warned that U.S. bases could be struck if the U.S. intervened. Other Axis of Resistance groups, including Iraq’s Kataib Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthis, echoed threats against U.S. regional positions. Following Trump’s announcement, Israel heightened its alert status, limiting public activities to essentials. Iran launched additional missile strikes on Israel, and the IDF reported conducting strikes in western Iran.
Iran’s U.N. Mission condemned the U.S. actions as “unprovoked aggression” in a letter to U.N. leadership, with representative Amir Saeid Iravani demanding Security Council action and holding the U.S. and Israel accountable for breaching international law.