Naim Qassem

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi met with Hamas and Hezbollah delegations in Tehran during their visit for funeral ceremonies for former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The Hamas delegation discussed conditions in Gaza and the West Bank, while Hezbollah conveyed condolences from its leader. Araghchi emphasized Iran's efforts to end the Lebanon conflict and honored former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

The United States conducted strikes on Iranian military targets near the Strait of Hormuz, prompting retaliatory attacks by Iran's Revolutionary Guard. Meanwhile, Lebanon and Israel began implementing a US-backed framework agreement, despite Hezbollah's opposition, while regional tensions escalated over security threats in the Strait of Hormuz.

Israeli forces conducted drone and air strikes in southern Lebanon after signing a US-brokered trilateral peace framework with Lebanon. The Israeli defense minister warned Iran against undermining the agreement, while Hezbollah rejected it, calling it invalid and demanding an Iran-US memorandum of understanding instead.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem declared the Israel-Lebanon peace deal 'null and void' a day after signing, calling it a 'grave blunder' and threatening to destroy the framework agreement. Protests are ongoing in Beirut.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised a US-brokered Lebanon agreement as a blow to Iran and Hezbollah, while Hezbollah's leader Naim Qassem dismissed the deal as 'null and void.' The deal aims to establish peace and disarm Hezbollah, but its future remains uncertain due to the opposing stances.

Hezbollah rejects the Israel-Lebanon agreement as 'null and void' and 'humiliation,' with its allies including the Houthis urging the Lebanese to 'overthrow puppet government by any means.'

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem accused the Lebanese government of legitimizing Israeli occupation through the Israel-Lebanon framework agreement signed in Washington. He called the deal 'null' and a 'humiliation' and urged replacing it with the Iran-US memorandum of understanding.

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem demanded a full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon according to a timetable. The ceasefire is threatened by Israeli gunfire that killed two people as a fifth round of talks continues in the US. An Israeli army Merkava tank was positioned along the border on 18 June 2026.

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem stated the group would respond to any Israeli violations in Lebanon, despite a ceasefire agreement. Israeli officials confirmed troops are authorized to act freely to eliminate threats in Lebanon.

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem rejected any Israeli security zone in Lebanon, following Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statement that Israeli troops would remain in southern Lebanon as long as necessary. Qassem emphasized that Israel's presence violates Lebanese sovereignty and that Hezbollah's military is responsible for the country's security.

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem stated the group would respond to any Israeli violations, while Israeli officials said troops are free to act without restriction despite a ceasefire.

President Trump signed a 14-point US-Iran memorandum of understanding at the Palace of Versailles. The Trump administration and Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem described the deal as a 'major win' and 'great victory,' while Iran's chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, called it a 'record of US failure.'

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem declares the Iran deal a 'great victory' that could be used to expel Israel from Lebanon, thanking Iran for linking Lebanon to the US deal. He insists talks with Israel must be limited to 'mutual security' and asserts Hezbollah's disarmament is an internal matter.

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem urged Lebanese authorities to leverage a pivotal moment following a US-Iran deal aimed at ending the Middle East war. The deal, which includes Lebanon, precedes Israeli-Lebanese negotiations, though Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated the talks are independent of the regional agreement.

Israeli airstrikes and Hezbollah attacks in Lebanon continue despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, with Hezbollah's leader rejecting the agreement and Israel refusing to withdraw forces. The U.S. House rejected a resolution to remove U.S. troops from Lebanon, and the IAEA reported ongoing concerns about Iran's nuclear program. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy proposed peace talks with Russia, while Putin announced plans to strengthen Russia's air defenses against Ukrainian drone attacks.

Hezbollah is using 'game changing' nighttime drones with thermal sensors to attack Israel, causing casualties and defense breaches. Israeli forces are deploying makeshift defenses like fishing nets against the drones, prompting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to hold an emergency security meeting.

Israeli strikes killed two people in southern Lebanon during the weekend, violating the ongoing ceasefire with Hezbollah. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem rejected peace talks, opposed disarmament, and called for anti-government protests, drawing US condemnation.

The Christian border town of Rmeish in Lebanon remained largely untouched during the war between Israel and Hezbollah due to locals refusing to allow Hezbollah fighters to operate from inside the town. Residents say this decision protected the village from Israeli strikes. The town's experience offers a rare glimpse into open resistance to Hezbollah inside southern Lebanon.

French President Emmanuel Macron faces criticism for his stance on Iran and Hezbollah, as U.S. President Donald Trump's administration hosts Israel-Lebanon talks. Israel excludes France from the discussions, accusing Macron of favoring Hezbollah and not supporting efforts to disarm the group.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem urges Lebanon's government to withdraw from planned talks with Israel, calling the Washington, DC, discussions a ploy to pressure Hezbollah into disarming. The talks are seen as an attempt to influence Hezbollah's stance on weapons.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has called for Lebanon to cancel planned direct negotiations with Israel. The group rejects Lebanese efforts to engage in talks with Israeli representatives, emphasizing its opposition to the initiative.