Leaders in Tehran suggested it would be the Lebanese militia that would strike back at Israel after the killing of Hassan Nasrallah and bombings in Beirut.According to The New York Times, the recent death of Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Lebanese militia Hezbollah, has left Iran’s aging supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a vulnerable position. For 40 years, Iran had relied on Hezbollah as the main arm of its proxy network of militias, using it as a forward defense against Israel. However, in the past two weeks, Hezbollah’s capacity has been weakened by multiple Israeli attacks on its leadership, arsenal, and communications.

The death of Mr. Nasrallah has also caused divisions within the Iranian government on how to respond. Conservatives are pushing for a forceful retaliation, while moderates, led by Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, are advocating for restraint. This has left Ayatollah Khamenei in a difficult position, as he mourns the loss of his close friend and ally.

According to four Iranian officials who were familiar with Mr. Nasrallah and briefed on the events, Ayatollah Khamenei has been deeply shaken by his death. However, he has maintained a calm and pragmatic approach. In public statements, he praised Mr. Nasrallah as a leading figure in the Muslim world and the axis of resistance, and reaffirmed Iran’s support for Hezbollah.

Despite the loss of Mr. Nasrallah, Ayatollah Khamenei remains determined to continue the fight against Israel. However, his options may be limited without the support of his trusted ally. The situation in the Middle East remains turbulent, and Iran’s supreme leader must navigate carefully to maintain his position of power. 

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