Hizbullah warns US, Israel against Iran attack
Organization's deputy chief says Hizbullah making plans in case Israel attacks Lebanon as part of American assault on Iran
The deputy chief of Hizbullah warned Tuesday that any "military adventure" by the United States and Israel against Iran would have dangerous consequences across the Mideast.
Sheikh Naim Kassem suggested his pro-Iranian group would not get involved if the US attacks Iran, but he raised the possibility that Israel might attack Lebanon as part of such an assault — in which case, he said, Hizbullah would "definitely" respond.
He said Hizbullah guerrillas were making plans in case Israel, like last summer, attacks Lebanon again.
"The resistance is taking all the necessary measures to be ready and prepared," Kassem said in an interview with the Associated Press. He would not elaborate but said Hizbullah is constantly changing its fighting tactics so the Israelis would not know its capabilities.
"We've evaluated the experience of the war and learned lessons from it and are taking steps to accommodate them with new realities," he said. "We are making sure the enemy will be in the dark in the future. This is the strength of the resistance and the secret of its success."
Dangerous consequences
Kassem, a Shiite Muslim cleric, warned that an assault on Iran could expand across the region.
"It remains to be seen what the level of an American aggression on Iran would be," he said. "Is it going to be limited or an all-out war? Will other countries become involved? Will it spread to the entire region?"
Asked if the US attacked Iran, Hizbullah would retaliate by striking Israel, Kassem said Iran is capable of defending itself because it "possesses the means, a tenacious populace and a wise leadership."
Kassem warned, "We will definitely respond and defend ourselves" if Israel attacks Lebanon.
Kassem's comments aimed to counter speculation that Hizbullah may stir up trouble in the region — including attacking Israel — if Iran is attacked: "They have to know that any military adventure, if widened and involves several countries in the region, would have dangerous consequences for everyone."
