Sheikh Qassem: Project to Eliminate Iran and the Resistance Has Collapsed
Hizbullah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem says the US-Israeli plan to destroy Iran and the Resistance has failed, declaring that any Israeli presence on Lebanese soil is unsustainable.
Lebanon, PUREWILAYAH.COM – Hizbullah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem declared that the project aimed at eliminating Iran, Hizbullah, and the Resistance across the region has failed, describing the current period as a new phase shaped by the defeat of the American-Israeli strategy in West Asia.
Speaking during the central Ashura gathering organized by Hizbullah at the shrine of Martyr of the Ummah Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Sheikh Naim Qassem said Israel’s military campaigns against both Lebanon and Iran failed to achieve their strategic objectives despite massive destruction and heavy attacks.
According to Sheikh Qassem, the Israeli occupation and its allies sought to destroy what he described as the center of resistance in the region through war on Iran, while simultaneously attempting to eliminate Hizbullah and resistance movements throughout West Asia.
‘Project to End Iran and Hizbullah Has Failed’
Sheikh Qassem stated that the confrontation produced results opposite to those expected by Israel and the United States.
“Iran emerged stronger despite enormous sacrifices,” he said, adding that Tehran proved it would not abandon its rights and continues to play a decisive role in regional affairs.
He also pointed to Hizbullah’s ability to withstand the assassination of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the loss of senior commanders, and extensive military attacks on Lebanon.
Referring to the scale of the conflict, Sheikh Qassem said Iran endured approximately 25,000 airstrikes while Lebanon was subjected to around 10,000 attacks during what he called the “Ma’kul Storm” battle, yet both Iran and the Resistance remained standing.
“There was a project to eliminate Iran, Hizbullah, and the Resistance across the region. That project has fallen,” he said.
Rejects Ceasefire That Grants Israel Freedom of Action
Sheikh Qassem rejected proposals that define a ceasefire as requiring only Hizbullah to halt military operations while allowing Israel to continue attacks, assassinations, and military incursions.
He said such arrangements amount to a continuation of aggression rather than a genuine ceasefire.
According to Sheikh Qassem, any real ceasefire must include a complete halt to Israeli military operations by air, land, and sea, an end to demolitions and occupation activities, and a clear timetable for Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory.
“We will not return to the conditions that existed before March 2,” he said.
He added that Lebanon should not accept negotiations that result only in further concessions while Israel continues to violate previous agreements.
Trump Can Stop Israeli Aggression
Addressing the role of Washington, Sheikh Qassem said the level of Israeli aggression witnessed in Lebanon would not have been possible without direct American support.
He argued that US President Donald Trump possesses the ability to force Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt military operations if he chooses to do so.
“If Trump decides to oblige Netanyahu, the entire Israeli entity will comply whether it wants to or not,” Sheikh Qassem said.
He also called on the Lebanese government to take advantage of regional developments, including Iranian measures and political leverage, rather than relying solely on negotiations with Israel.
‘Israeli Presence on Lebanese Soil Is Impossible’
Sheikh Qassem reiterated that no Israeli military presence will be accepted on Lebanese territory under any pretext.
“There will be no security zones for Israel, and no occupied positions overlooking Lebanon while Israeli forces remain present,” he said.
He emphasized that the Lebanese Army alone should be responsible for deployment and sovereignty on Lebanese soil, adding that Hizbullah supports cooperation with the national army.
Sheikh Qassem further expressed his belief that Israel’s future decline will come from within, saying the occupation’s actions have damaged its standing internationally and accelerated internal erosion.
“The Israeli entity will not remain in Lebanon, no matter how much aggression it escalates,” he said.
Calls for National Unity
On domestic affairs, Sheikh Qassem stressed that Lebanon cannot be governed through domination by any faction and that the country’s stability depends on coexistence and national unity.
“There will be no victory of one Lebanese group over another. We do not seek to dominate anyone, nor will we allow anyone to dominate us,” he said.
He also urged Lebanese authorities not to pursue normalization with Israel at the expense of alienating large segments of the Lebanese population, calling instead for policies that restore trust, strengthen national cohesion, and focus efforts on confronting the occupation and rebuilding the country. (PW)