The commander of Iran’s Quds Force, Esmail Qaani, issued a sharp threat to Israel over the Israel Defense Forces’ continued presence in southern Lebanon. According to Iran’s Tasnim news agency, Qaani said that if Israel does not withdraw voluntarily from southern Lebanon, it will be forced to flee in defeat and humiliation.
Qaani linked his warning to the IDF withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000, presenting current pressure on Israel as part of Iran-led “resistance axis” efforts. The threat comes amid Israeli statements that the IDF will continue to preserve freedom of action in southern Lebanon.
Defense Minister Israel Katz said yesterday that Israel would not pull out of southern Lebanon, even if the United States were to demand it. He also said that, at this stage, there is no official American demand for such a withdrawal.