Tehran: Iran has strongly condemned the United States for being “complicit” in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza and Lebanon, accusing Israel of using over 5,000-pound bunker buster bombs provided by the US in its strikes on residential areas in Beirut. The US responded, stating it had no prior knowledge of the strikes.
Multiple reports suggest that the Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, was a primary target in the attacks, which destroyed six buildings. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the elimination of senior Hezbollah commanders during the strikes in southern Lebanon.
The Israeli military announced that Muhammad Ali Ismail, the commander of Hezbollah’s missile unit, and his deputy, Hussein Ahmed Ismail, were killed in a precise Israeli Air Force (IAF) strike. The IDF statement read:
“Muhammad Ali Ismail, the Commander of Hezbollah’s Missile Unit in southern Lebanon, and his deputy, Hussein Ahmad Ismail, were eliminated in a precise IAF strike. Ali Ismail was responsible for directing numerous terrorist attacks against the State of Israel, including the firing of rockets toward Israeli territory and the launch of a surface-to-surface missile toward central Israel on Wednesday. This follows the elimination of the terrorist Ibrahim Muhammad Qabisi, Head of Hezbollah’s Missiles and Rockets Force, as well as other senior commanders of this unit.”
🔴Muhammad Ali Ismail, the Commander of Hezbollah’s Missile Unit in southern Lebanon, and his deputy, Hussein Ahmad Ismail, were eliminated in a precise IAF strike.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) September 28, 2024
Ali Ismail was responsible for directing numerous terrorist attacks against the State of Israel, including the… pic.twitter.com/Esoyg4pLM7
The Lebanese Health Ministry reported that Israeli airstrikes resulted in the deaths of six people, leaving 91 others injured.
Key Developments
Hassan Nasrallah Targeted, Communication Lost
Several Israeli media outlets have claimed that Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was the intended target of the strikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs, though Israel has not confirmed these reports. Communication with Nasrallah was lost following the strikes, raising concerns about his status. However, sources close to Hezbollah, as well as Iran’s Tasnim news agency, have confirmed that Nasrallah is alive, with Tehran working to verify his condition.
Iran Accuses US of Complicity
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the United States for supporting Israel by providing the bombs used in the strikes. He told the UN Security Council:
“Just this morning, the Israeli regime used several 5,000-pound bunker busters that had been gifted to them by the United States to hit residential areas in Beirut. One cannot disregard the US complicity in the crime.”
In response, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said, “We had no advance warning. My call with Minister Gallant took place while the operation was already underway. As you know, this operation took place just a couple of hours ago, and they’re still making assessments.”
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Biden Orders US Forces to ‘Assess and Adjust’ in the Middle East
US President Joe Biden has directed the Pentagon to assess and adjust the US force posture in the Middle East following Israel’s airstrikes on Hezbollah’s headquarters. The White House stated:
“He has directed the Pentagon to assess and adjust as necessary US force posture in the region to enhance deterrence, ensure force protection, and support the full range of US objectives.”
Additionally, Biden ordered US embassies in the region to “take all protective measures as appropriate.”
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Iran Labels Strikes as a ‘Flagrant War Crime’
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the Israeli strikes, calling them a “flagrant war crime.” In a statement reported by IRNA, Pezeshkian said, “The attacks perpetrated by the Zionist regime in the Dahiya neighbourhood of Beirut constitute a flagrant war crime that has revealed once again the nature of this regime’s state terrorism.”
Meanwhile, Israel has made it clear that it will prevent Iran from supplying arms to Hezbollah through Beirut’s airport. Military spokesman Daniel Hagari stated, “We will not allow arms transfers to the Hezbollah terrorist organization in any way. We know about Iranian arms shipments to Hezbollah and foil them. Air force jets are now patrolling around the Beirut airport.”
