Khamenei says defense of Hezbollah remains Iran's 'strategic mandate'
Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei reiterated on Sunday that any deal with the United States must include an "absolute, unconditional" end to the fighting in Lebanon, adding that the defense of the Hezbollah terror group…
Assessment
Iran's supreme leader publicly ties any nuclear or broader deal with the U.S. to a complete halt in Israeli operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon. This hardens Tehran's negotiating stance and signals that the fate of its Lebanese proxy is non-negotiable. The direct social media message to Hezbollah's new secretary-general also reinforces continuity of command after the previous leader's death. Watch for whether Washington or Jerusalem adjust their red lines in response.