Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has issued a strong condemnation of Israel and its Western allies following a series of deadly explosions in Lebanon that targeted Hezbollah’s communications infrastructure. The blasts, which occurred on September 17, 2024, resulted in the deaths of nine individuals, including the young daughter of a Hezbollah member, and left approximately 2,800 others injured. The Tehran-aligned group has attributed the attacks to Israeli forces.
In a statement released on Wednesday, President Pezeshkian accused Western nations, particularly the United States, of complicity in what he termed the “crimes” committed by the Israeli government. He stated, “Western countries and the Americans fully support the crimes, killings, and indiscriminate assassinations of the Zionist regime,” adding that these explosions should serve as a source of “shame” for Israel’s allies.
Pezeshkian’s remarks were echoed by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani, who labeled the explosions as a “terrorist act” perpetrated by Israel and characterized it as an example of mass murder. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also condemned the attacks on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), referring to them as an instance of “Israeli terrorism.”
Among those injured in the blasts was Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani. Reports indicate that he sustained injuries to his hand and face but is expected to recover. The Iranian embassy in Beirut has publicly denied rumors regarding serious complications from his injuries, stating that his treatment is progressing well.
In response to the attacks, the Iranian Red Crescent announced that it dispatched rescue teams and eye surgeons to Lebanon to assist those affected by the blasts. This humanitarian effort underscores Iran’s commitment to supporting its allies in the region amid escalating tensions.
The explosions occurred shortly after Israel announced an expansion of its military objectives in response to Hamas’ attacks on October 7. Israeli officials indicated that they would intensify their operations against Hezbollah along the Lebanon border, further heightening fears of a broader conflict in the region.
The European Union’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, condemned the attacks on Lebanon’s pager infrastructure, calling for restraint and emphasizing the need for dialogue to prevent further escalation. Meanwhile, Russian officials have warned that such incidents could trigger a wider conflict across the Middle East.
