Zarif and Firouzabadi Respond to Hezbollah Being Labeled as Terrorist

In response to the Gulf Cooperation Council's designation of the Shia organization Hezbollah as 'terrorist', Iranian officials condemned the decision. Previously, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain had labeled Hezbollah as a terrorist entity, and last Wednesday, March 2, the Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes six Persian Gulf monarchies, added Hezbollah to its terrorist list. The council stated that Hezbollah has been recruiting among the youth of the monarchies and planning 'terrorist' operations against these countries. According to Iranian media, Hassan Firouzabadi, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Iran, stated on Sunday, March 5, that 'despite the wishes of Al Saud and its regional partners, there will be no destabilization of Hezbollah's established position in the balance of power in the region.' He called the council's decision a 'strategic mistake' and asserted that 'there is no doubt this action has been taken under the command of Zionists and at the behest of sworn enemies of Islam.' Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's Foreign Minister, also condemned the council's decision during a press conference on Saturday, March 4, alongside his Maltese counterpart, stating that 'this action is condemned and invalid, and it will make the destructive role of those pursuing these actions clearer in the international community.' Zarif added, 'I feel that some countries in our region, particularly the Saudi government, are seeking to create tension and insecurity throughout the region due to their misguided policies.' He also noted that Hezbollah is the only organization standing against Israel. Other Iranian officials emphasized that the decision made by Saudi Arabia and the monarchies serves Israel's interests. Israel was the first country in the world to label Hezbollah as 'terrorist.' The Gulf Cooperation Council's decision coincides with the continued deterioration of relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran; Saudi Arabia cut ties with Iran three months ago, and Bahrain made a similar decision. Last month, Saudi Arabia also suspended approximately $4 billion in military aid to the Lebanese army due to the 'silence' of the Beirut government regarding the attack by extremist forces on the Saudi embassy in Tehran three months ago. The interior ministers of the 22 member states of the Arab League also condemned Hezbollah in their meeting last week in Tunisia, labeling it a 'factor of instability.' However, Arab media reported that Saudi Arabia wants the Arab League to officially declare Hezbollah as 'terrorist' like the Gulf Cooperation Council did. The six Persian Gulf monarchies are members of the Arab League. According to Al Arabiya, following the recent decision of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Kuwait has expanded the pursuit of citizens and other residents who may be suspected of any dealings with Hezbollah or supporting them. Since its establishment in the early 1980s, Hezbollah has received widespread and comprehensive support from the Islamic Republic of Iran. Hezbollah militants have fought in Syria in line with Iran's objectives in recent years. Saudi Arabia also accuses Hezbollah of intervening in the Yemen war. In this context, representatives of Hezbollah Lebanon deemed the labeling of the group as 'terrorist' as 'invalid.'