Arabic → English transcript

The Iranians are talking about comprehensive collective security.

Meaning either we have security in the entire region, or there is no security in the region at all.

You cannot keep striking Lebanon and ask me for a cease-fire.

This is unacceptable in current Iranian strategic thinking, in today’s strategic debates.

Two years ago, this was not the case.

Because the picture has changed, and we have witnessed Israeli overreach expanding from one file to another.

The picture has become that interconnection is what deters.

Fragmentation and separation are what bring about this Israeli and American overreach.

Therefore, in my estimation, Hezbollah entered the fray hoping to link the Lebanese file to the Iranian file.

Or in line with a decision that I understand as a decision in Iran.

And in my estimation it is a decision within Hezbollah.

That the two fronts will not stop except together, in a comprehensive cease-fire.

Because all previous unilateral cease-fires were violated.

In Iran, new violations were imposed.

In Lebanon, Israeli sorties did not stop, they killed nearly four hundred people.

In thirteen months or fifteen months

Meaning there will be no unilateral ceasefire

And so Hezbollah entered, and Iran entered at the same time

In order to be part of the discussion about the ceasefire

This talk about separation is Israeli talk

And it is also the talk of some who fear that the party leaving the war, and Lebanon leaving the war,

under the guarantee of Iranian missiles,

will lead to strengthening these parties and enhancing their capabilities

And some are afraid of that outside Israel as well, in the region and in Lebanon itself

This is not Iran’s calculation, nor Hezbollah’s calculation

My assessment is that linking the two fronts is a decided course, and it will be implemented

And neither of the two fronts will stop without the other