Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has reaffirmed Tehran's strong support for Lebanon's Hezbollah. He praised the group's fighters for maintaining their stand against Israel and described their role as an important part of Iran's regional strategy. In a message posted on X, Khamenei also said Iran's conflict with the United States cannot end unless Israeli military operations in Lebanon come to a complete and unconditional halt.

The 56-year-old Iranian cleric addressed his message to Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem and the group's fighters. He said Iran considers the defence of Hezbollah a "strategic mandate." He also called for an immediate and unconditional end to what he described as Israeli aggression against Lebanon. According to his statement, such a step remains necessary before any agreement can end Iran's conflict with the United States.

Khamenei issued the message after Hezbollah sent a letter reaffirming its allegiance to Iran's Islamic Republic. In response, he praised the group's commitment and repeated Iran's continued support for Hezbollah. He also stressed that the movement remains central to Tehran's regional policy.

In his statement, Khamenei claimed that armed resistance remains the only way forward against the United States and Israel. He wrote, "Today, as the nations of the world have grown weary of the tyranny and oppression of the US government and the criminal Zionists, who are the destroyers of lives and generations, there remains no path forward except jihad and resistance."

Khamenei also praised Hezbollah's role in the region. He claimed the Lebanese group has acted as an "unyielding rock as a forerunner of groups engaged in jihad against the aggression" of Israel. He further said the group's determination has inspired people around the world who seek freedom from what he described as global arrogance. He presented Hezbollah's actions as a symbol of resistance and praised its continued commitment despite years of conflict.

The Iranian leader also referred to Iran's long-standing policy towards Hezbollah. He said his position follows the approach established by his father, former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He stated that defending Hezbollah remains Iran's "strategic mandate." His remarks signalled continuity in Tehran's support for the Lebanese group and reflected Iran's unchanged position on the issue.

Khamenei also paid tribute to Hezbollah members who lost their lives during US-Israeli attacks. He specifically mentioned former Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah. He honoured Nasrallah and other fighters for what he described as their sacrifices in the conflict. According to Khamenei, their efforts transformed Hezbollah "from a sapling into a mighty tree," giving Lebanon greater honour across the Islamic world.

The Iranian leader ended his message by offering prayers for Hezbollah's fighters, veterans, displaced civilians and the families of those killed in the conflict. He expressed confidence that the group would ultimately succeed despite the challenges it continues to face. His closing remarks reflected Tehran's continued political and ideological support for Hezbollah during the ongoing regional tensions.

Khamenei's statement comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East, with continued conflict involving Israel, Hezbollah and Iran. His message reaffirmed Iran's backing for Hezbollah and repeated Tehran's position that any resolution to its conflict with the United States depends on an unconditional end to Israeli military operations in Lebanon. The statement also reinforced Iran's long-standing alliance with Hezbollah and highlighted the importance Tehran continues to place on the group in its regional strategy.