Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has called on the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah to join the military standoff with Israel and launch missile strikes on Israeli territory, Iranian opposition media reported, citing Western intelligence sources. According to them, Khamenei made the demand to Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem in an attempt to widen the front of the conflict that escalated between Tehran and Tel Aviv in June 2025. However, Qassem rejected the call, fearing a devastating response from Israel that could lead to the destruction of the group and significant losses in Lebanon.

The conflict between Israel and Iran, which began with Israeli strikes on targets related to Tehran’s nuclear program, has escalated into a series of mutual attacks, including rocket attacks and strikes on strategic sites. Iran, seeking to increase pressure on Israel, has counted on support from its allies, including Hezbollah, which has a significant arsenal of missiles and military capabilities. According to Western analysts, the group has tens of thousands of missiles capable of hitting targets throughout Israel, making it an important element of Iranian strategy in the region.

Hezbollah’s refusal to join the escalation was a surprise turn of events. Sources say Qassem, who took over as leader after Hassan Nasrallah’s death in 2024, is taking into account the lessons of previous conflicts with Israel, particularly the 2006 war that left Lebanon devastated. The concerns are not only about Israel’s military might but also about the domestic situation in Lebanon, where economic crisis and political instability make a new confrontation extremely risky for Hezbollah and its supporters.