FDD
Hezbollah’s Role in the Israel-Iran War Is to Await Iran’s Orders
David Daoud
June 19, 2025

Hezbollah was supposed to be Tehran’s insurance policy if Israel contemplated attacking Iran — the group’s massive arsenal either deterring the Israelis or, failing that, acting as the Islamic Republic’s first line of response. But so far, even after the intense bombardment of Iranian targets as part of Operation Rising Lion, Iran’s star proxy is only offering rhetorical solidarity, its Secretary-General Naim Qassem’s official statement indicating Hezbollah is awaiting orders rather than rushing to join the fight. The Israelis inflicted a significant and unprecedented defeat upon the group during their recent war. They have eliminated most of Hezbollah’s top military and political leadership and a significant percentage of its missile stocks — though estimates vary on exact figures. The Israelis have barely let up since, targeting the group’s remaining assets and critical personnel almost daily. Hezbollah is therefore in no state to fight Israel, and renewed war would likely allow the Israels to further degrade the group. READ MORE

FDD As Israel and Iran Exchange Strikes, Qatar Wants Closer Ties With Tehran Qatar’s emir and Iran’s president are becoming friendlier amidst the war between Israel and Iran. On June 18, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received a letter from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian “pertaining to bilateral ties and the means to enhance them…The exchange between Al Thani and Pezeshkian demonstrates Qatar’s flourishing relationship with the Islamic Republic. While Doha persuaded Washington that it deserved recognition as a Major Non-NATO ally, it has been pursuing a working, if not warm, relationship with the regime in Iran.