US interests will be targeted if Israel attacks Lebanon: Iraqi resistance leader

The secretary general of Iraq's Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq resistance group has warned Israel against waging a new war on Lebanon, emphasizing that the strategic interests of its main ally, the United States, in West Asia will be targeted in case of such military aggression.

“If America continues to support the usurping Israeli regime, and the Zionist enemy expands its assaults on Lebanon and Hezbollah, Washington’s interests in the region and Iraq will be in jeopardy,” Qais al-Khazali said.

The Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq chief stated that the occupying Israeli regime and its extremist right-wing administration led by prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not be of any benefit to the United States, apparently questioning Washington's full-fledged support for the Tel Aviv regime.

Meanwhile, the speaker of Lebanon’s parliament and chairman of the Amal Movement says his political party will stand by Hezbollah resistance movement if Israel wages a new war on Lebanon.

“We are fighting on the Lebanese soil. We are fully prepared and will join forces with Hezbollah if an Israeli ground invasion breaks out,” Nabih Berri noted.

He voiced his deep concern over developments in southern Lebanon and the escalation of tensions between Beirut and the Tel Aviv regime, saying, “The next month will be decisive for us.”

“I am very worried that the situation would spiral out of control. We are in a sensitive and complicated stage, and the status quo is not reassuring.

“I met with US President Joe Biden's Mideast envoy, Amos Hochstein, and was expecting his response following his trip to Tel Aviv. This, however, did not happen and cast doubts on the sincerity of the American initiative [to defuse tensions between Israel and Hezbollah],” the senior Lebanese lawmaker said.

Hezbollah: All sensitive Israeli targets within range; Tel Aviv seeks to make up for losses

Hezbollah says waging war on Lebanon will not help the Israeli regime make up for its defeats.

According to Berri, Hochstein had suggested that Hezbollah should withdraw eight kilometers from the border in order to calm the situation.

“In return, I said it is the Israeli army that should take the measure,” he underlined.

The top parliamentarian also said that despite "Israel’s violations of Security Council Resolution 1701, we still stand committed to its full implementation.”

“Hezbollah is committed to the rules of conflict; but the Zionist regime violates them and pursues a scorched-earth policy in border areas.

Commenting on German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock’s next week visit to Lebanon for talks with officials in Beirut, Berri said that he will not meet with her due to his heavy schedule.

Baerbock is scheduled to travel to Lebanon to hold talks with officials in Beirut in light of Israeli threats of an expanded conflict with Hezbollah.

Hezbollah has been carrying out almost daily rocket attacks on Israeli positions in retaliation for the regime’s aggression against Lebanon and in solidarity with Palestinians.

The genocidal war in Gaza has killed at least 37,626 Palestinians, predominantly women and children so far.

At least 480 people have also been killed on the Lebanese border, including 93 civilians, according to a tally by AFP.

Two Israeli wars waged against Lebanon in 2000 and 2006 were met with strong resistance from Hezbollah, resulting in the retreat of the regime in both conflicts.

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