Iranian Leader Hails Hizballah 'Triumph'

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran last month (Fars) August 17, 2006 -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei today hailed what he called Hizballah's "victory" over Israel, likening it to "the triumph of Islam."

The message is contained in a letter read on Iran's state television that Khamenei reportedly sent to Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Lebanese Shi'ite militia.


In it, Khamenei said Hizballah "proved that military power depends on faith, jihad, sacrifice, intellect, and prudence, rather than mass weaponry." He also praised the militia for allegedly "destroying the myth of the Israeli army's invincibility."


Khamenei's comments echoed remarks made by Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad on August 15. The United States and Israel accuse Tehran of maintaining strong organizational ties with Hizballah.


Iran denies the charge, saying its support to the Shi'ite militia is purely "moral."


(IRIB, IRNA)

Iran, Syria, And Hizballah

Iran, Syria, And Hizballah

Iranians demonstrating in support of Hizballah in Tehran on July 17 (epa)

'FOR THE SAKE OF LEBANON': The Islamic Republic of Iran has served as an ideological inspiration for Hizballah since the Lebanese militant group's creation in 1982, and Tehran acknowledges that it supports the organization morally and politically. "Yes, we are friends of Syria and Iran" Hizballah leader Hassan Nasrallah has said. "For 24 years we benefited from our friendship with Syria and Iran for the sake of Lebanon...." (more)


RELATED ARTICLES

Hizballah -- Past And Present

Tehran Playing Key Role In Israel-Lebanon Crisis

Iran, Hizballah Brush Off U.S. Terrorism Label

Intifada Conference In Tehran Has Multiple Objectives

UN Resolution Rankles Syria, Hizballah, Iran


ARCHIVE

RFE/RL coverage of Iran. RFE/RL web special on Iran's nuclear program.



SUBSCRIBE

For weekly news and analysis on Iran by e-mail, subscribe to "RFE/RL Iran Report."