Lebanese Hezbollah leader: I am ready to travel to Iran to request aid and fuel
Hassan Nasrallah, leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah, says he is ready to travel to Iran to receive aid and import fuel from the Islamic Republic.
Iran has been the largest financial backer of Lebanon's Hezbollah since the 1980s, a militant group that is sanctioned by many Western countries but also wields significant influence in Lebanon.
Lebanon has faced a growing financial crisis in recent years and, more recently, a fuel crisis.
Iran, as an ally of Syria, has been delivering 30,000 to 50,000 barrels of crude oil per day to the country for years, but the Lebanese government has refused to ask the Islamic Republic for help in delivering fuel due to US sanctions and fear of losing its Arab and European allies.
But Hassan Nasrallah's proposal to receive aid, especially fuel, from the Islamic Republic comes at a time when Iran itself has been facing a financial crisis and significant budget deficits, unemployment, poverty, and rampant inflation in recent years.
On Tuesday, June 8, in an interview with Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Manar TV, Mr. Nasrallah said that he could go to Iran and negotiate with Tehran officials to import fuel to solve the fuel problem in Lebanon.
He called on the Lebanese government to make a "bold decision" and "import fuel from Iran, regardless of US sanctions."
Last year, the Secretary-General of Lebanon's Hezbollah also suggested to the Lebanese government that it examine the possibility of purchasing oil products from Iran; according to him, Iran was ready for this transaction to be carried out in Lebanese pounds.
His statements about consulting with Iran to import fuel come at a time when many reports have been published in recent months about the militant group receiving fuel from Iran.
In this context, Reuters reported on April 17 that the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, considering the possibility of a complete economic collapse in Lebanon, is preparing fuel storage depots imported from Iran and distributing food ration cards.
The report, citing three unnamed sources, said that Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militia group, has also started importing medicine to provide emergency services.
Mr. Nasrallah also spoke on Tuesday about the publication of reports that he had contracted the coronavirus and tried to assure that he was in good "health."
It was previously reported that he had been infected with coronavirus since May 25, more than two weeks ago.
Mr. Nasrallah said in his interview: “He is a human being, he can get tired or sick.” He stated the cause of his illness as “allergy” and said: “The matter is very serious.”
He said, "Some announced my death and some were looking for my successor, but I assure you that there is no major issue."
Source: Radio Farda
