What Is Behind the Iranian Escalation and the Firm Hold on Hezbollah's Weapons? Rifi: Tehran's Role Is Over, Saeed: Playing with Fire

Iranian escalatory positions towards Lebanon have attracted significant attention, especially as they aligned with the statements of Hezbollah's Deputy Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem, who affirmed that he would not hand over the party's weapons "even if the sky fell to the earth."

Information indicates that what Hezbollah's Secretary-General will declare in the coming days will also emphasize that the weapons remain, amid questions about whether this is part of maneuvers to boost morale within its supportive environment or in the context of indirect negotiations with the Israelis.

What about Iran's objectives, the main ideological, doctrinal, armament, and financial supporter of Hezbollah? What did it mean by its recent statements, particularly saying that Hezbollah's weapons are like bread and salt, while the advisor to the Iranian Supreme Leader, Mr. Ali Akbar Velayati, clearly stated that the weapons are a necessity, will remain, and will not be handed over, attacking those who challenge them? Does this mean that Iran is seeking to negotiate with Washington through Hezbollah's card after losing its regional leverage—from Gaza to the fall of the Syrian regime, passing through the Popular Mobilization Forces in Iraq—and now only possessing this card through which it can reopen negotiations with the United States?

MP Ashraf Rifi points out to "An-Nahar" that Iran's escalation "comes against the backdrop of the end of its role in the region, after it lost a series of key cards it used for terrorism, chaos, and wars, especially the fall of the Syrian regime, then the Gaza plan, leading to what hit Hezbollah in terms of damaging its military structure and its decline. Therefore, Iran is finished, as is Hezbollah, and both are in a difficult situation they cannot envy. On this basis, Tehran seeks to negotiate with the United States through the Hezbollah card, which is also finished. Everything we hear from its Secretary-General and officials falls within the framework of boosting morale among its supportive environment. Therefore, the statements of Iranian officials are rejected and condemned, and Hezbollah's weapons will be handed over to the Lebanese state."

Regarding the Iranian escalation and officials' positions about Hezbollah and the insistence on holding on to its weapons, former MP Fares Saeed tells "An-Nahar": "It seems that Iran has not yet reached any understanding with the United States, so it resorted to verbal escalation and threats, which we noticed from more than one official, implying that Hezbollah's weapons will not be handed over."

He adds: "I believe this regime, which was subjected to a war last summer, cannot endure a second war, and Tehran is unable to engage in a new confrontation that might topple the regime, which it fears."

He concludes that "Tehran is playing with fire, which is dangerous and benefits only Israel, exposing southern Lebanon and Lebanon in general to the utmost Iranian adventures in Lebanon and the region."