Iran President Seeks Talks; Hezbollah Won't Intervene in New War

This development follows warnings from U.S. President Donald Trump of a devastating strike against Iran, alongside an American warning delivered by Secretary of State Marco Rubio to President Aoun, which was also shared with Berri and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. Lebanese parliamentary sources indicated that Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh told Hezbollah and Amal Movement lawmakers during a recent Beirut visit that Iran can defend itself and would not seek Hezbollah's help, acknowledging the military disparity between the terrorist organization and Israel.

Hezbollah's caution is also driven by fears of severe internal backlash from its Shiite support base, which is already suffering from previous conflict and displacement. The organization is reportedly struggling to provide financial aid to displaced persons and fears a potential mass displacement of up to one million Shiites if Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz carries out threats to expand the security zone in southern Lebanon and strike Beirut's southern suburbs. While some Lebanese officials remain skeptical of Hezbollah's pledge due to past broken promises, the Iranian Embassy in Lebanon has issued a statement denying the reports of these assurances.