Leader of Lebanon’s Hezbollah Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, in a stern warning to the United States, issued a direct threat on Friday, stating that preventing a regional war hinged upon halting the Israeli assault on Gaza.
Speaking in his first address since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict on October 7, Nasrallah cautioned that the situation on the Lebanese front could escalate into a “wide war” if the Israeli aggression persisted.
Nasrallah, whose group is backed by Iran, specifically targeted the United States, Israel’s key ally, indicating Hezbollah’s readiness to confront U.S. warships in the Mediterranean.
Addressing the Americans, Nasrallah emphasized, “You, the Americans, can stop the aggression against Gaza because it is your aggression. Whoever wants to prevent a regional war, and I am talking to the Americans, must quickly halt the aggression on Gaza.”
He went on to highlight the futility of military intervention in the region, warning that in the event of a wider conflict, U.S. fleets and aerial attacks would be ineffective.
Nasrallah asserted, “You, the Americans, know very well that if war breaks out in the region, your fleets will be of no use, nor will fighting from the air be of any benefit, and the one who will pay the price will be… your interests, your soldiers, and your fleets.”
In a direct challenge to U.S. naval presence, Nasrallah stated that Hezbollah was undeterred by the presence of American warships in the Mediterranean. “I tell you with all sincerity, we have prepared well for your fleets, with which you are threatening us,” he declared.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas escalated after the Islamist group’s militants launched a cross-border assault on October 7, resulting in significant casualties.
Israel imposed a devastating siege on Hamas-ruled Gaza, leading to widespread international concern over the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region. The situation remains highly volatile, with fears of a broader regional conflict looming large.
