Elias Bejjani/A Critical Reading of Sheikh Naim Qassem’s Interview with Al-Mayadeen: Lewdness, Depravity, Illegitimate Usurpation, and Barefaced Iranian Subservience
A Critical Reading of Sheikh Naim Qassem’s Interview with Al-Mayadeen: Lewdness, Depravity, Illegitimate Usurpation, and Barefaced Iranian Subservience Elias Bejjani/July 11/2025
In a lengthy and revealing interview with Al-Mayadeen TV, Sheikh Naim Qassem, Deputy Secretary-General of the terrorist, jihadist, and criminal Hezbollah organization, exposed yet again the extent of the group’s illegitimate usurpation of the Lebanese state and its absolute subservience to Iran’s theocratic regime. His statements confirm what many already know: Hezbollah is nothing more than an armed Iranian proxy—hostile to Lebanon and its people—operating completely outside the framework of national sovereignty and legality.
Qassem’s responses throughout the interview reflect a depraved, treacherous mentality—a Trojan horse mindset that treats Lebanon not as a sovereign nation, but as a mere playground for Tehran’s local, regional, and global ambitions. Hezbollah has no regard for the will of the Lebanese people or the authority of the Lebanese Constitution. The sheer brazenness of Qassem’s rhetoric highlights the militia’s open contempt for the state, its institutions, and its citizens.
A Shameless Declaration of War
The most appalling moment came when Qassem unabashedly declared that “the Shura Council of [Hezbollah] met and decided to enter a supporting battle” following the Hamas-led “Al-Aqsa Flood” attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. This is not just a crude admission of unilateral military action—it is a flagrant slap in the face of Lebanese sovereignty. How can an armed group make a decision to enter war, set objectives, and engage in conflict without the consent—or even consultation—of the legitimate Lebanese government?Such a stance reaffirms that Hezbollah is not a “state within a state” but rather a “state above the state,” one that arrogantly overrides all legal and democratic mechanisms. Qassem’s declaration is effectively an illegitimate declaration of war—one that has plunged Lebanon into destruction, displacement, and death, with no regard for the will or welfare of its people.
Absolute Subservience to Iran and the Refusal to Disarm
The heart of the crisis lies in Hezbollah’s complete obedience to Iran. Qassem’s own words betray this reality. When he speaks of “unity of fronts” and “unity of objectives,” he is clearly affirming that Hezbollah’s decisions on war and peace lie not with the Lebanese, but with the Iranian axis. His frank admission—“Yes, the presence of the Islamic Republic of Iran is fundamental in this matter”—is not just a nod to strategic coordination; it is a confirmation that Tehran is the architect, funder, and commander of Hezbollah’s entire agenda. This is not loyalty to Lebanon. It is total submission to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which uses Lebanon as a bargaining chip, a battlefield, and a weapons depot in its broader regional conflicts. Qassem’s interview also exposed Hezbollah’s disdain for international law and the United Nations. The group continues to ignore UNSC Resolutions 1559 and 1701, both of which call explicitly for the disarmament of all militias in Lebanon and the full restoration of state sovereignty. His claim that “Lebanon is strong because of Hezbollah’s weapons, and we will not accept that Lebanon becomes weak” is not only illogical but deeply dangerous. It reflects an ideology that views the state’s own legal institutions as weak and irrelevant—an ideology that undermines any chance of building a modern, strong, and sovereign Lebanon.
Justifying Violations, Defying the State.
Qassem’s attempts to justify Hezbollah’s destabilizing activities are as outrageous as they are insulting. His claim that “the supporting battle achieved its goals by alleviating the pressure on Gaza and pushing Israel toward a solution” is a cynical lie. What Hezbollah’s “support” achieved was widespread devastation: in the South, in Beirut, in Baalbek—everywhere the Shiite community lives, a community Hezbollah claims to protect but in reality exploits, holds hostage, and sacrifices in Iran’s jihadist wars. His rhetoric about “not harming Lebanon” rings hollow when set against the grim reality of economic collapse, massive displacement, and thousands of innocent lives lost. These outcomes are not the price of “resistance”—they are the direct consequences of Hezbollah’s illegitimate actions and its blind loyalty to Tehran. Even Qassem’s attempts to downplay the existence of a coordinated “joint operations room” with Iran and its regional proxies fall apart when he admits that “each arena contributed according to its own assessments” and again emphasizes Iran’s “fundamental presence.” This contradiction only reinforces the truth: Hezbollah is executing a coordinated, regional strategy on Iran’s behalf—completely divorced from Lebanese interests.
Clinging to Arms: The Open Defiance of Sovereignty
Qassem’s insistence on Hezbollah retaining its weapons is perhaps the most dangerous aspect of the interview. His statement—“We will confront when we have a decision to confront… We have two choices, no third: victory or martyrdom. We have no option called surrender. This is out of the question”—leaves no room for misinterpretation. This is not defense. It is domination. It is a declaration that Hezbollah alone will decide Lebanon’s fate. It is a complete rejection of the basic principle that the use of force must be the exclusive right of the legitimate state. Hezbollah’s refusal to disarm confirms the existence of a parallel army, one that undermines the state’s authority and robs Lebanon of its sovereignty. Qassem’s contempt for UN resolutions and international consensus, particularly Resolutions 1559 and 1701, exposes Lebanon to sanctions, diplomatic isolation, and deeper instability. Far from making Lebanon “strong,” Hezbollah’s weapons render it weak, fractured, and paralyzed. Even worse, Qassem presents Hezbollah’s arsenal as essential for Lebanon’s survival, as though the national army and legitimate institutions are incapable of defending the country. This is an insult to the Lebanese people and a calculated effort to keep the state weak, dependent, and permanently hijacked.
The Illusion of Power and a Failing Deterrent
Qassem’s claims about Hezbollah’s “strength” and deterrent power collapse under the weight of reality. Since the ceasefire, assassinations of Hezbollah figures have taken place almost daily across Lebanon—with not a single retaliatory shot fired in response. This suspicious silence speaks volumes. It reveals a failed deterrent. It exposes the myth of Hezbollah’s military prowess. And it raises a critical question: Who are these weapons really for? Clearly, they are not for defending Lebanon from external threats. They are for internal control—for intimidating opponents, suppressing dissent, and maintaining Iran’s grip on the country.
Conclusion:
Guardianship by Gunpoint
Sheikh Naim Qassem’s interview is not a simple media appearance—it is a chilling confirmation of Lebanon’s tragic reality: the country lives under the guardianship of a lawless, Iranian-backed militia that recognizes only the power of arms and holds the Lebanese state and people in utter contempt. This interview laid bare Hezbollah’s true agenda: absolute military control, unwavering loyalty to Iran, rejection of international law, and complete disregard for the sovereignty, safety, and prosperity of Lebanon. Lebanon cannot recover—economically, socially, or politically—so long as Hezbollah remains armed, unaccountable, and subservient to Tehran. The path to peace and statehood begins with the dismantling of this parallel army and the restoration of full national sovereignty under the sole authority of the Lebanese state.
رابط نص وفيديو مقابلة الشيخ نعيم قاسم من قناة الميادين الحوار الكامل للأمين العام لحزب الله سماحة الشيخ نعيم قاسم مع قناة الميادين النص مأخوذ من موقع الشيخ نعيم قاسم الألكتروني/08 تموز 2025
