Iran Alerted Nasrallah : Israel is escalating its campaign to eradicate Hezbollah in Lebanon, having already targeted key figures within the organization. The Israeli strikes have claimed the lives of prominent leaders, including Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, his daughter, and several high-ranking commanders. Most recently, an attack in Damascus resulted in the death of Nasrallah’s son-in-law, Hassan Jafar al-Qasir. Amid these developments, reports suggest that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned Nasrallah about the impending threat to his life and urged him to flee Lebanon.
Warnings from Khamenei
According to three Iranian sources, Khamenei’s Iran alerted Nasrallah to leave Lebanon just days before he was killed in an Israeli attack. This warning comes as concerns grow within Tehran regarding Israeli infiltration at high government levels. A senior Iranian official revealed that after the September 17 assault on Hezbollah, Khamenei sent a message through a courier, urging Nasrallah to relocate to Iran. He cited intelligence reports indicating that Israeli agents had infiltrated Hezbollah and were plotting to assassinate him.
The Messenger’s Tragic Fate
The message was delivered by Brigadier General Abbas Nilforoushan, a senior commander in the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, who was with Nasrallah in his bunker when the attack occurred. Both Nasrallah and Nilforoushan lost their lives in this devastating strike.
Iran’s Retaliatory Strikes
In retaliation, Khamenei, from a secure location within Iran, ordered the launch of approximately 200 missiles at Israel. The Revolutionary Guards stated that this attack was revenge for the deaths of Nasrallah and Nilforoushan, also referencing the earlier assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. However, Israel has not claimed responsibility for Haniyeh’s death.
Ongoing Israeli Operations
On Tuesday, Israel began a limited ground operation against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. As of now, neither Iran’s Foreign Ministry nor the Israeli Prime Minister’s office has commented on the situation.
Growing Concerns for Khamenei
Conversations with various sources reveal Iran’s increasing anxiety over Khamenei’s security and a growing mistrust within Hezbollah and the Iranian establishment. This atmosphere of suspicion complicates the effective functioning of Iran’s alliances with anti-Israel militant groups. Established with Iran’s support in the 1980s, Hezbollah has long been the strongest ally in this coalition.
Four Lebanese sources noted that this chaos has made it difficult for Hezbollah to choose a new leader, as they fear that ongoing infiltration could jeopardize any successor’s safety.
A Major Loss for Iran
Magnus Ranstorp, a Hezbollah expert at the Swedish Defence University, commented on the significant losses Hezbollah has suffered, stating that Iran has lost its biggest investment in recent decades. He explained, “This diminishes Iran’s capacity to launch attacks near Israel’s borders and shows how deeply Israel has infiltrated. They not only killed Nasrallah but also Nilforoushan, a trusted military advisor to Khamenei.”
Continued Violence in Beirut
The Israeli assaults continue, with airstrikes early Thursday in central Beirut resulting in at least six deaths and several injuries. Israel claims it conducted a precise aerial strike on a building near the parliament in the Bachoura neighborhood. Lebanese security officials reported that three missiles targeted the southern suburb of Dahiyah, where previous attacks had already taken the life of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. The sounds of powerful explosions echoed in the area, marking a grim continuation of the conflict.
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