Khamenei Vows Hezbollah’s Strength Unshaken After Nasrallah Assassination

Shortly after the Israeli military announced the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in targeted airstrikes in Beirut, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei responded, stating that Israel’s actions are insignificant in the face of Hezbollah’s resilience.

In a series of posts on X, Khamenei emphasized that “Zionist criminals” are too small to damage the strong structure of Hezbollah, reaffirming regional support for the group. He further warned Israel that its mass killing of civilians, including women and children, would not weaken Hezbollah or the wider resistance. Khamenei condemned the Israeli government as a “rabid dog” for its violent tactics and short-sighted policies, calling on Lebanon to make Israel regret its aggression.

Meanwhile, reports suggest Khamenei has been relocated to a secure location within Iran, with heightened security measures. Iran is said to be in constant communication with Hezbollah and other allies to coordinate a response. Earlier, Khamenei held an emergency meeting of the Supreme National Security Council, according to sources familiar with the situation.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that Nasrallah was killed during a targeted airstrike in Beirut on Friday, along with Ali Karki, the Commander of Hezbollah’s Southern Front. The strike, part of Israel’s “New Order” operation, reportedly hit Hezbollah’s Central Headquarters, located underground beneath a residential building in Dahieh.

Israel claimed Nasrallah, during his 32-year leadership of Hezbollah, was responsible for the deaths of many Israeli civilians and soldiers through numerous terrorist activities. Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have heightened, with concerns that the escalation could spread to Iran.

The situation echoes a similar tragedy earlier this year when Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash, an incident still surrounded by debate regarding the true cause.