Hezbollah renews allegiance to Khamenei, hails Iran 'victory'
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem renewed the Iran-backed Lebanese group's allegiance to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Thursday hours after the veteran Iranian leader emerged for the first time in over a week after a 12-day war with Israel.
Hezbollah, pounded by Israel in a series of attacks late last year, did not intervene to back Tehran as Israel and the United States launched air strikes.
"We affirm and are proud that we are with Iran and that we are under the guardianship of Imam Khamenei," Qassem said in a video address.
Qassem alleged "the unprecedented popular consensus around the leadership and regime in Iran and the rallying around Imam Khamenei to defend the country against aggression.”
Khamenei, he added, was a "brave, wise and inspiring leader who overcomes difficulties and stands in the field, fearless of blame while on God's path and confident in victory."
