Over the past few weeks, tensions between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah have escalated to unprecedented levels. Following the assassination of Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, and senior Lebanese and Iranian commanders in Beirut, Israel launched a substantial and heavy assault on Beirut’s Dahieh district on Thursday night. By Friday morning, Israeli army had also bombed areas near Beirut’s airport. Despite the heightened risks and potential dangers—particularly after Iran’s missile strike against Israel last Tuesday and Tel Aviv’s subsequent threats of retaliation—Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi proceeded with his scheduled trip to Beirut. Although this trip was initially postponed before Araghchi’s departure to New York for the United Nations General Assembly and prior to the assassination of Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary General of Hezbollah in Lebanon, it was further delayed based on Nasrallah’s advice.
But what motivated this journey?
Solidarity and support for the Axis of Resistance
In the aftermath of recent terror attacks by Israel, some observers believed that Tel Aviv had gained the upper hand and was making significant strides in its tactical endeavors. Tehran sought to dismantle this perception, especially after its recent missile attack, which was more severe than the one in April and successfully struck its intended targets. Subsequently, Iran initiated a diplomatic offensive aimed at fostering close communication with the Lebanese people and Hezbollah. The Foreign Minister’s visit to Beirut was a tangible manifestation of this strategy—intended to invigorate its allies and dispel any notion that Iran might abandon its friends in times of hardship. At a press conference in Beirut, the Iranian Foreign Minister emphasized that his presence was the clearest indication of Iran’s unwavering support for Lebanon and Hezbollah.
Iranian officials have stated that any Israeli action against Iran will be met with a severe response. Notably, the Iranian Foreign Minister issued this warning not only from Tehran but also from Beirut, which is geographically much closer to Israel. This gesture is symbolically significant and reassures Iran’s regional allies that Tehran will not disengage itself from the developments during these challenging times.
Unyielding stance in the face of Israeli threats
Prior to the Foreign Minister’s visit to Lebanon, the Iranian President, Masoud Pezeshkian, attended the Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) summit in Doha, additionally engaging with high-ranking Qatari and regional officials. Furthermore, since Iran’s missile strike against Israel, Iran’s Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has conducted two public meetings, the most recent being the Friday prayers in Tehran. High-ranking officials, including the President and heads of other governmental branches, participated in this ceremony. These conspicuous public appearances, despite Israel’s threats, serve as a deliberate demonstration of Tehran’s refusal to be intimidated. By maintaining a visible presence, Iranian authorities signal that Israel’s menacing posture does not deter them; rather, they assert that Israel lacks the resolve to act against them despite its rhetoric. This posture indicates Tehran’s earnest decision to confront Israel’s actions directly.
Notably, the absence of key senior commanders—including those of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces—at the Friday prayers sparked considerable speculation. The prevailing assumption is that these commanders are stationed in operational command centers, poised to implement defensive measures and respond immediately to any Israeli actions based on pre-established contingency plans.
Departure from ‘strategic patience’
The atmosphere among Tehran’s decision-makers has markedly shifted, leading Iran watchers to suggest that Iran has moved beyond its era of “strategic patience.” Until recently, divergent views existed within Iran’s political spectrum: some cautioned that retaliating against Israel might play into Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s hands, while others argued that refraining from response would only embolden Israel further. In the current phase, however, there is a concerted call for unity and national solidarity in the face of external threats. The political climate in Tehran reflects a convergence across various factions on the approach to dealing with Israel. Even reformist and critical figures have rallied in support of the government’s stance.
The significant turnout at the Friday prayers in Tehran, led by the Leader, is another testament to this societal unity. Remarkably, some critics who had been imprisoned in recent years, as well as individuals who had not attended Friday prayers for decades, participated in the ceremony to affirm their commitment to national security. This unexpected presence surprised many, especially given the assumption that, under the shadow of Israeli threats, people might choose to stay indoors or seek safety elsewhere. Instead, a considerable number expressed the sentiment: “Because Israel threatened, I came to the Friday prayer today.”
In a comparative sense, one might say that Iranian FM took a similar risk in his diplomatic field to counter a bigger risk through engaging with officials from a country currently facing a perilous situation.
Breaking the siege
The Iranian Foreign Minister’s visit to Beirut can also be viewed as a strategic move to counteract the blockade that Israel is attempting to impose on Lebanon, aimed at severing its connections with Iran. In the past two weeks, particularly following the assassination of Hezbollah’s Secretary General, Israel has sought to enforce a comprehensive land, air, and sea blockade on Lebanon to disrupt Hezbollah’s logistical capabilities. For instance, an Iranian plane was prevented from landing at Beirut’s airport last Saturday, prompting Iran Air to suspend its flights to Lebanon.
In this context, Araghchi’s trip to Lebanon was a calculated risk undertaken amid wartime conditions. It appears that high-ranking Iranian officials and the Foreign Minister decided this mission to challenge Israel’s strategy of isolating Iran from its regional allies. By undertaking this high-stakes visit, Iran not only defies Israeli pressure but also reinforces its commitment to maintaining natural and official connections with its partners in the region.
