Iran's Khamenei Says Defence of Lebanon's Hezbollah is 'Strategic Mandate'

Iran's Khamenei Says Defence of Lebanon's Hezbollah is 'Strategic Mandate'

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has stated that Tehran views the defence of Lebanon's Hezbollah fighters as a 'strategic mandate'. This comes in response to a Hezbollah letter pledging allegiance to Iran's Islamic Republic. Khamenei alleged that 'remains no path forward except jihad and resistance' against the United States and Israel. He also commended the resilience of the Lebanese people, especially those living in the country's south, saying their sacrifices had been vital in sustaining the resistance movement.