Lebanon banned Hezbollah from conducting “military activities” on Monday in response to the Iran-backed terrorist group’s attack on Israel.
The development comes after joint U.S.-Israeli strikes in Iran over the weekend killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and prompted a wave of retaliatory strikes in the Gulf Region.
On Monday morning, Hezbollah launched airstrikes on Israel in retaliation for Khamenei’s killing. Israel responded in kind with strikes on southern Lebanon. State media reported at least 31 civilians, and at least one of the terrorist group’s leaders, were killed as a result.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam then announced that Hezbollah’s activities would be limited to the “political sphere.”
“We declare our rejection of any military or security operations launched from Lebanese territory outside the framework of legitimate institutions,” Salam said, calling Hezbollah’s strikes “illegal.” He also stated a commitment to ceasing hostilities and resuming negotiations.
This statement marks the prime minister’s strongest repudiation of the Lebanon-based Iranian proxy.
Salam previously called Hezbollah’s airstrikes on Israel “a reckless and suspicious act that endangers Lebanon’s security and gives Israel pretexts to continue its attacks,” and he vowed to “take all necessary measures to stop those responsible and protect the Lebanese people.”
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Iran and the United States were in the middle of discussing a pathway to a possible nuclear deal before “Operation Epic Fury” commenced.
President Donald Trump intended the joint strikes to keep the Islamic regime from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to free the Iranian people. Instead of an extended war, Trump said the operation could last less than four weeks. At least four American troops have been killed so far.
