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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Nasrallah: Tehran won't order Hezbollah strikes if Israel attacks |
| 2012-02-08 |
| Iran will not ask Hezbollah to intervene in the event of an Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, the leader of the militant group has told his followers. The Hezbollah chief also made the unusual acknowledgement that his group receives both material and financial aid from the Islamic Republic -- no secret to regional and world governments. In a speech delivered Tuesday evening by video link to throngs of supporters, a black-turbaned Sheik Hassan Nasrallah said Tehran will not ask Hezbollah for anything if Israel strikes Iran. He said, however, that Hezbollah would consider its options if such an attack occurs, ruling nothing out. The U.S. government labels Hezbollah a terrorist group. Recent reports about a potential Israeli military strike at Iran's nuclear facilities have spurred speculation that Lebanon-based Hezbollah could launch retaliatory attacks into Israeli territory. While acknowledging that his group receives aid and support from the Islamic Republic, something that Hezbollah has generally left opaque, Nasrallah denied that Hezbollah takes its marching orders from Tehran. "Yes, we have been receiving moral and political support and financial aid in all its possible ways and available forms from the Islamic Republic of Iran since 1982," Nasrallah said, according to Lebanese media accounts, in a speech marking the birthday of the prophet Muhammad. Nasrallah was essentially confirming recent comments by Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Iranian leader affirmed that Iran has assisted Lebanon's Hezbollah and the Palestinian group Hamas. In his address, Nasrallah also denied allegations of Hezbollah involvement in money-laundering and drug- smuggling to finance its activities. "We have sufficient money, weapons, ammunition and financial ability to carry out our duty," said Nasrallah. |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #8 As per FREEREPUBLIC Artic, circa 15,000 QUDS SPECIAL FORCES are repor marching into Syruh to defend Baby Assad + Regime as we speak??? |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2012-02-08 20:10 |
| #7 More recently, they have gotten crafty and moved a lot of their assets into Beirut proper. But that will be of no help if Israel is well and truly pissed off. The Hezbollah owned parts of Beirut would be just as likely to get a MOAB stuck in them. As I recall, Anonymoose, last time Israel bombed the Hizb'allah sections of Beirut, as well. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2012-02-08 19:14 |
| #6 Not enough a reason the Israelis shouldn't kill Hizballah to the last man. If only as a lesson to others. |
| Posted by: Shimble Guelph5793 2012-02-08 16:22 |
| #5 I suspect the truth of the matter is that Hezbollah quite reasonably suspects that if the balloon goes up, it will be "no more Mr. Nice Guy" from Israel, and they will annihilate Hezbollah for good. Last time, Hezbollah fled across the Litani River, which Israel designated as the point beyond which civilians had to flee. But those Hezbollah who stayed south of there just got the snot pounded out of them. Only after the Israelis left could they return. More recently, they have gotten crafty and moved a lot of their assets into Beirut proper. But that will be of no help if Israel is well and truly pissed off. The Hezbollah owned parts of Beirut would be just as likely to get a MOAB stuck in them. Hamas, as well, has been trying to distance itself from Iran, likely using much the same calculation. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2012-02-08 14:36 |
| #4 Iran probably wouldn't have to .... |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2012-02-08 14:31 |
| #3 Iran problem wouldn't have to issue any - they probably have standing orders to defend their masters. |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2012-02-08 14:30 |
| #2 And then his lips fell off. |
| Posted by: Mullah Richard 2012-02-08 13:31 |
| #1 "Not one I can hear, anyway."? |
| Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2012-02-08 13:09 |