 Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center at the Center for Special Studies (C.S.S) |
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Hezbollah as a strategic arm of Iran
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Iranian president Ahmadinejad
(Iranian News Agency ISNA, August 1, 2005)
Overview
This Bulletin deals with Hezbollah's place in Iranian strategy and the vast amounts of aid and support Iran has given the organization since its founding 24 years ago. Hezbollah, and the Lebanese Shi'ite community among whom it took root, are actually the only successful example of exporting the Islamic revolution. Hezbollah also demonstrates how Iran uses the concept to further its ambitions for regional hegemony and the struggle against Israel and the West.
The massive support Iran and it ally, Syria , have given Hezbollah since its founding increased during the past six years, turning it not only into a terrorist organization with military and political capabilities, but also an Iranian stronghold in the heart of the Arab world . Hezbollah's capabilities, which go far beyond those of a terrorist organization, are a clear-cut threat to the population of Israel , as was well illustrated in the second Lebanon War (which took place earlier than Iran and Syria had planned) . The presence of an stronghold in Lebanon has given Iran cultural influence and political clout, increased its regional influence and enabled it to use terrorism against Israel without being linked involved. In addition, and more even importantly, it provides Iran with a military option to both attack Israel and destabilize the region during a crisis (for example, in response to an attack on its nuclear installation).
The second Lebanon war weakened both Hezbollah's military capability and its political power in Lebanon . However, the organization was not defeated and its pre-war capabilities can be restored . Therefore, Iran and its ally, Syria , can be expected to make an effort to rehabilitate the organization's capabilities, especially by smuggling arms in from Syria in spite of the embargo imposed on arms shipments to Hezbollah. At the same time, Iran can be expected to use Hezbollah to pour vast amounts of money into rebuilding Lebanon and compensating the local residents (the overwhelming majority of whom are Shi'ites) who were harmed by the war.
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From the Israeli perspective, the Islamic regime in Iran presents a danger to its existence . The regime's ideology uncompromisingly and publicly calls for the destruction of the State of Israel , fosters the Palestinian terrorist organizations and systematically strives to attain unconventional nuclear capabilities while thumbing its nose at the demands of the international community. It also clearly presents a threat to American and Western interests in the Persian Gulf and the Middle East in general. Much of the Arab/Muslim world is also apprehensive of an Iranian threat. |
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For that reason, the State of Israel and the entire international community must make an effort to hamper the post-war rehabilitation of Hezbollah's strategic capabilities as part of a general struggle against the threat of Iran and its stronghold in Lebanon . |
This Information Bulletin contains the following :
A. The concept of exporting the Islamic revolution
B. The establishment of Hezbollah by Iran during the Lebanon War, 1982-1985
C. Strengthening Hezbollah after the Lebanon War
D. Iranian aid and support for Hezbollah
1) Overview
2) Exporting Iranian ideology
3) Massive supplies of state-of-the-art weapons
4) Ways of bringing weapons into Lebanon
5) Training Hezbollah to use weapons
6) Supervising the build-up of Hezbollah's military strength and preparing it
for a possible confrontation with Israel
7) Financing Hezbollah
8) The damage done to Hezbollah's military infrastructure during the war.
E. Summary and conclusions
Birds of a feather…
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah hugs Iranian president Ahmadinejad during a visit to Iran
(Iranian News Agency, IRNA, August 1, 2005)
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