Hezbollah’s former Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah.
Iran reveals preparations for Nasrallah’s funeral
Iran said Monday that it will take part in this weekend's funeral of Hassan Nasrallah, the former leader of Lebanon's Tehran-backed Hezbollah movement, with a senior delegation.
"We will participate in this ceremony at a high level," Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei told reporters, without specifying who would attend Sunday's ceremony in Beirut.
The announcement came as Lebanese authorities cancelled flights from Tehran to Beirut over security concerns.
Read more: Hezbollah’s chief: Trump’s stance is "political genocide"
Nasrallah’s funeral will be held on February 23, as announced by Hezbollah’s current Secretary-General Naim Qassem.
His cousin, the former head of Hezbollah’s Executive Council Hashem Safieddine’s funeral will also take place on the same day.
Nasrallah will be buried between the old and new airport roads in Beirut, and Safieddine in his hometown of Deir Qanoun En Nahr.
Read more: Assad sister-in-law: Assad family, Hezbollah behind Hariri’s assassination
On Sunday, Naim Qassem accused “Israel” of being behind the cancellations, saying Lebanon's government was "implementing an Israeli order".
Qassem also called for widespread participation in Nasrallah's funeral as a demonstration of the group's strength.
“Israel’ has repeatedly accused Hezbollah of using Beirut's airport to smuggle weapons and funds from Iran, allegations denied by both Hezbollah and Lebanese officials.
Read more: Lebanese army reopens airport road after Hezbollah supporters' sit-in
Hezbollah was established in the 1980s following Iran's Islamic Revolution as a political party with an armed wing.
Over the years, the group has received financial and military support from Tehran, positioning itself as a key adversary of “Israel”, Iran's arch-enemy.
Nasrallah, a prominent figure in Hezbollah, led the group for 32 years, during which it expanded its military capabilities and regional influence; but was killed in an “Israeli” airstrike on Beirut’s Southern Suburbs on September 27, 2024.
