Lebanese Prime Minister: Iranian Revolutionary Guard Commands Hezbollah Operations

(Patria) - Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stated in an interview with Al Arabiya on Sunday that members of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are directing Hezbollah's operations in the war with Israel.

Salam criticized Hezbollah for dragging Lebanon into the conflict by launching rockets at Israel.

"It has been declared that this war is retaliation for the assassination of Khamenei, so that means this war has been imposed on us," he said.

Lebanon was drawn into the war after Hezbollah began firing rockets at Israel on March 2, stating it was acting in response to the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Israeli-American attacks on February 28.

Speaking about an incident earlier this month where an Iranian-made drone hit a British base in Cyprus, Salam said the attack was carried out by the IRGC, "which is present and, unfortunately, directs the military operation in Lebanon".

"These people have forged passports and entered the country illegally," he added.
Cyprus announced that the drone was likely launched by Hezbollah, supported by Tehran, from Lebanon, not directly from Iran.

Salam also pointed to the IRGC's announcement of joint operations with Hezbollah against Israel as proof of their role in directing the conflict in Lebanon.

The Lebanese government decided this month to ban all IRGC activities in the country and took the unprecedented step of banning Hezbollah's military operations, calling on the group to hand over its weapons to the state.

"We are committed to the decisions we have made and are working on their implementation," Salam said.