Hezbollah Vows to Keep Its Arms, Rejects U.S. Pressure

Overview

• Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem said the group will never disarm and will defend itself in any scenario.
• Qassem argued that the group’s weapons are inseparable from its identity, calling disarmament an act of “execution.”
• He said reported U.S. pressure on Lebanese authorities to strip Hezbollah of its arsenal will not succeed.
• Addressing Beirut, Qassem offered full coordination with the Lebanese Army under a national defense strategy using both sides’ capabilities.
• He rejected any arrangement he said would amount to capitulation to Israel or the United States, and claimed Israel failed to achieve goals to dismantle the group after killing Hassan Nasrallah and other senior figures.