Key facts
- Hezbollah thanked Iran for its retaliatory strikes against Israel.
- Hezbollah urged Lebanon to strengthen ties with Iran.
- A rights group accused Israel of striking Beirut to sabotage US-Iran talks.
- The group called on the U.S. to suspend arms transfers and intelligence cooperation with Israel.
Hezbollah has thanked Iran for its retaliatory strikes against Israel and urged the Lebanese government to strengthen ties with Tehran. The group issued a statement calling on Lebanese authorities to seize the opportunity to "correct their official relations with the Islamic Republic in a way that serves the interests of both countries." Hezbollah emphasized that ongoing truce talks between the U.S. and Iran offer an opportunity for Lebanon to achieve its key national goals. The group added that Iran's support for Lebanon's "legitimate rights" reaffirms that Iran is the one supporting Lebanon.
Separately, the U.S.-based rights organization DAWN accused Israel of attempting to sabotage emerging negotiations between the United States and Iran. According to DAWN, Israeli strikes in Beirut triggered an escalation and contributed to broader regional tensions. Omar Shakir, DAWN's executive director, stated that reports of U.S. displeasure with Israeli actions would be ineffective unless Washington utilized its leverage, specifically mentioning suspending arms transfers and intelligence cooperation as means to pressure Israel. DAWN asserted that Israel's actions were aimed at derailing a potential U.S.-Iran agreement and urged the U.S. to use its influence to halt Israeli aggression and end the conflict.