The vice president of Lebanon’s Supreme Islamic Shia Council has praised Iran’s resistance against the United States and Israel, saying it has helped prevent wider instability in West Asia and contributed to the security of regional countries.
Sheikh Ali Al-Khatib made the remarks during a meeting with Ayatollah Reza Ramazani, Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly in Tehran on Sunday, where he expressed appreciation for Iran’s support for Lebanon, its resistance and Shia community, saying the Lebanese people would remember Tehran’s steadfast backing.
Referring to recent regional developments, Khatib said Iran’s resistance to US and Israeli aggression has acted as a deterrent against broader regional conflict.
He also argued that if Iran had been defeated, Israel would have expanded its military aggression against other regional countries more freely.
Khatib also discussed the impact of Israeli military offensive in Lebanon, saying the country had endured widespread displacement, casualties and destruction. Despite those hardships, he said, the Lebanese people had demonstrated resilience, patience and unity.
Ramazani, for his part, reaffirmed Iran’s continued support for Lebanon, praising the determination of the Lebanese people in the face of ongoing challenges.
During his visit to Iran, Khatib attended the opening session of an international conference to commemorate the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. The event was organized on the sidelines of funeral ceremonies at the Tehran International Conference Center on Saturday and attended by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, along with delegations from around 100 countries, according to Iranian media.
The Lebanese delegation included representatives of the Supreme Islamic Shia Council, the Amal Movement, the resistance movement Hezbollah, several Islamic political groups, religious scholars and other clerical figures.
During his visit, Khatib also took part in a working dinner hosted by Lebanese Ambassador to Iran Ahmad Sweid. The gathering was attended by members of the Lebanese delegation, representatives of Amal and Hezbollah, and several Iranian officials, including former Iranian ambassador to Lebanon Mojtaba Amani.
Participants reviewed recent developments in Lebanon and the wider region and exchanged views on the political outlook for the coming months, according to reports.
According to Iranian media reports, Khatib and the accompanying delegation traveled to the holy city of Qom on Sunday to visit the shrine of Hazrat Fatima Masumeh and meet senior Shia religious authorities and seminary officials.
