Iran has announced that it will not be sending troops to Lebanon or Gaza to confront Israel, despite recent intensified attacks against the Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah and the Houthis in Yemen by Israeli forces. This announcement was made by the Foreign Ministry in Tehran on Monday.
The statement made it clear that Tehran does not seek war but is not afraid of it, emphasizing its commitment to a safe and stable Middle East. According to Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani, there is no need for extra or volunteer forces from the Islamic Republic of Iran as Lebanon and fighters in the Palestinian territories have the capability and strength to defend themselves against aggression.
Over the past few weeks, Israel has conducted heavy airstrikes targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon and other militant groups in the region, including Syria, Yemen, and Iraq. These Israeli offensives have raised concerns that the conflict could escalate, involving Iran and the US, who are Israel’s main ally.
Kanaani informed reporters that there has been no request for assistance from any side regarding the matter, while assuring that they do not need help from Iranian forces. However, he also stressed that Israel “will not remain without reprimand and punishment for the crimes it has committed against the Iranian people, military personnel, and resistance forces.
During the past week alone, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) significantly increased airstrikes on Lebanon, resulting in over 1,000 casualties and thousands of injuries. These attacks have also led to a mass exodus from areas most affected by Israeli bombing. In addition, the Israeli military conducted a series of strikes against senior Hezbollah commanders, killing most of them, including the group’s leader Hassan Nasrallah.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visited Hezbollah’s office in Tehran on Monday to pay tribute to Nasrallah, as reported by the government’s website.