Khamenei's Advisor Threatens Israel; Kharrazi: We Will Support Hezbollah with 'All Resources'

Kamal Kharrazi, foreign affairs advisor to Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, warned that a potential all-out attack by Israel on Hezbollah could lead to the onset of a regional war; a war in which the Islamic Republic and the 'Resistance Axis' would support Hezbollah in Lebanon with 'all resources.' In an interview with the British newspaper Financial Times published on Tuesday, July 2, Kharrazi stated that the Islamic Republic has 'no interest' in a regional war and urged the U.S. to pressure Israel to prevent further escalation. However, in response to the question of whether the Islamic Republic would provide military support to Hezbollah in the event of a full-scale conflict, he said, 'All the people of Lebanon, Arab countries, and members of the Resistance Axis will support Lebanon against Israel.' Kharrazi's remarks come as several Arab countries defended Israel during a missile and drone attack by the Islamic Republic, neutralizing that attack. Kharrazi stated, 'There is a possibility of the war expanding to the entire region; a war in which all countries, including Iran, will be involved.' He added, 'In this situation, we have no choice but to support Hezbollah in any way we can.' Kharrazi emphasized, 'The expansion of the war is not in anyone's interest, neither Iran's nor America's.' Many opponents of the Islamic Republic have repeatedly expressed their dissatisfaction with the allocation of Iranian resources to proxy groups like Hezbollah, which has led to numerous sanctions. Since the terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023, Hezbollah has opened a new front against Israel with rocket fire and border attacks, increasing the risk of regional war. The conflicts have mostly been limited to the border, but there are fears that they could escalate into a full-scale war. Victims of the Hamas terrorist attack have filed complaints against the Islamic Republic, North Korea, and Syria. Tensions in the Middle East have led Lufthansa to suspend night flights to and from Beirut, and Saudi Arabia has urged its citizens to leave Lebanon 'immediately.' The Israeli Foreign Minister reacted to the Islamic Republic's threats, stating: 'A regime that threatens annihilation deserves annihilation.'