Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has described a reported understanding between Iran and the United States aimed at ending regional hostilities as a “great victory,” calling it a turning point for Lebanon’s political and security situation.
Although the full details of the Iran–US arrangement have not been officially released, officials from both countries, along with Pakistani mediators, have indicated that the agreement includes provisions affecting Lebanon as part of a broader regional de-escalation framework.
In a televised address on Wednesday, Qassem congratulated Iran and its allies, praising what he described as a breakthrough for regional forces aligned with what he termed the “resistance” axis.
“We congratulate the Iranian people, the resistance and the countries and peoples of the region and the world who yearn for independence and freedom on this great victory,” he said.
He also thanked Iran for what he described as linking the Lebanese front to the wider agreement, claiming it contributed to halting Israeli military actions in Lebanon.
Tensions in the region escalated after Hezbollah became directly involved in the wider conflict earlier in March, launching rocket attacks into Israel in support of Iran. The move triggered a strong Israeli military response, including airstrikes and ground operations in parts of Lebanon.
Although hostilities in Lebanon have reportedly eased since the announcement of the deal earlier in the week, sporadic violence has continued, with at least five people reported killed in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon since then.
The developments come as Lebanon continues indirect and direct discussions with Israel in Washington, initiated in April under US mediation, aimed at de-escalating tensions and separating the Lebanon–Israel front from broader regional conflicts.
However, Qassem suggested the reported Iran–US understanding could alter the trajectory of those talks, urging Lebanon to reconsider its engagement strategy.
He called on Lebanese authorities to use what he described as a “pivotal moment” to push for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory and rejected continued negotiations with Israel, describing them as “concessions.”
“The ceiling for the negotiations with the Israeli enemy is mutual security… and any proposal under the banner of disarmament will not pass,” Qassem said, warning that such demands were intended to weaken Lebanon.
He also reiterated Hezbollah’s rejection of government efforts to disarm the group, arguing that internal matters such as weapons policy, national defence strategy and economic issues should not be part of external negotiations.
“All matters related to organising our domestic situation must be decided internally,” he said. “In any negotiation, the main demand must be Lebanon’s sovereignty.”
A fifth round of talks between Lebanon and Israel is expected to take place next week, even as regional dynamics continue to shift following the reported Iran–US understanding.
