IRGC Quds chief says war on Iran ‘discredited’ US, accelerates 'Israel’s collapse’

• IRGC Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani said the recent war has weakened the standing of the US and accelerated the decline of the 'Israeli' regime.
• He praised regional allies, defended Hezbollah's strength and said resistance groups acted independently in support of Iran.

Esmail Qaani, commander of Iran's IRGC Quds Force, said the recent conflict had "completely discredited America" and accelerated the "collapse" of the 'Israeli' regime.

In remarks to Iranian media, Qaani said that despite intense military pressure and destruction, "not a single resistance group abandoned the field," arguing that their continued presence had alarmed Iran's adversaries.

He also claimed that regional groups took the initiative to confront the US in support of Iran without direct instructions from Tehran.

Qaani rejected suggestions that Hezbollah could be dismantled, describing the group as deeply rooted in Lebanese society.

He said Hezbollah's capabilities extend far beyond what has been publicly seen, warning that previous displays of the group's strength represented only "the tip of the iceberg."

The IRGC commander pointed to the Bab al-Mandab Strait as a strategic advantage for Iran-aligned forces, claiming US warships avoided passing through the area during the conflict.

He also praised Iranian negotiators involved in recent diplomatic efforts, saying developments in Lebanon showed that military and diplomatic actors were working toward the same objectives.