Hezbollah Issues Red Line Warning to US Over Iran’s Supreme Leader
BEIRUT – Hezbollah has warned that it could intervene militarily if the United States targets Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, while indicating that limited American military action against Iran would not automatically trigger its involvement.
Speaking to AFP on Wednesday, a Hezbollah official stated the group has no intention of becoming involved in a conflict if US military action against Iran remains limited in scope. “If American attacks on Iran are limited, Hezbollah’s position is not to intervene militarily,” the official said.
Red Line: Protecting Iran’s Supreme Leader
However, the official added that the situation would drastically change should Washington attempt to overthrow the Iranian regime or directly target Ayatollah Khamenei, describing such actions as a “red line” for the Lebanese group. This stance underscores the strong alliance between Hezbollah and Iran, both members of the Axis of Resistance.
US-Iran Negotiations Continue Amidst Tensions
The warning from Hezbollah comes as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi reaffirmed Tehran’s commitment to reaching a deal with the United States. Araqchi and his delegation departed Tehran on Wednesday for Geneva to participate in the third round of Iranian-American nuclear talks, according to Iran’s Mehr News Agency. Hezbollah’s warning reflects the heightened tensions in the region and the potential for escalation.
Previous US Threats Against Khamenei
This warning follows previous direct threats made by former U.S. President Donald Trump against Ayatollah Khamenei in June 2025. Trump, via his social media platform Truth Social, stated, “We know precisely where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding. Even though he is an easy target, he remains safe for now. We have no plans to eliminate him (kill him!), at least not at this moment.” The mere utterance of such threats was deemed an offense against Muslims globally by Hezbollah.
Hezbollah’s Position on Limited US Strikes
Earlier this week, another Hezbollah official told AFP that the group would not intervene if the US carried out “limited” military action against Iran. However, the official reiterated that intervention would occur if the US aimed to “provoke the downfall of the Iranian regime or to target the supreme leader.” This position aligns with a desire to avoid a wider regional conflict unless its core interests are directly threatened.
Regional Concerns and Potential for Escalation
Israel has also warned Lebanon that it would unleash attacks, including targeting civilian infrastructure, if Hezbollah were to become involved in a war between the US, and Iran. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has urged Hezbollah to avoid drawing the nation into another conflict. The situation remains volatile, with the US continuing to build its military presence in the region as negotiations with Iran continue.