Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has started fearing for his life as the news of the killing of the head of Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah in the attacks on Beirut by Israel came to light. News agency Reuters quoted sources as saying that he has been taken to a safe place inside Iran amid tight security.
Earlier Reuters reported that Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards Corps, the ideological guardian of the Islamic Republic, had barred all members from using any kind of communication devices after thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah exploded. Was ordered to close. Lebanon and Hezbollah say Israel was behind the pager and walkie-talkie attacks. However, Israel has neither denied nor confirmed involvement.
Two regional officials in Tehran told Reuters that Khamenei had been taken to a safe location. He also said Iran was in contact with Hezbollah and other regional proxy groups to decide the next steps after Nasrallah’s assassination. Due to the sensitivity of the matter, the sources have refused to be identified.
Along with Nasrallah’s killing, Israeli strikes on Beirut on Friday also killed Revolutionary Guards deputy commander Abbas Nilforoushan, Iranian media reported on Saturday. Other Revolutionary Guard commanders have also been killed since the Gaza war began last year and violence flared up elsewhere.
Following Israel’s announcement of Nasrallah’s killing, Khamenei issued a statement on Saturday, saying: “The fate of the region will be determined by the forces of resistance, with Hezbollah at the forefront.” He said in a separate statement that the martyr’s blood will be avenged.
Let us tell you that Nasrallah’s death is a big blow for Iran, because it has lost an influential ally. He helped establish Hezbollah as a group of Tehran’s allies in the Arab world.
