Iran’s Larijani in Beirut: ‘Hezbollah Needs No Arms’

Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, arrived in Beirut on Saturday for commemorations marking the first anniversary of Hassan Nasrallah’s assassination. He said Hezbollah is “strong enough that it does not need to acquire weapons from somewhere else,” praised outreach to Saudi Arabia, and held talks with Lebanese leaders as crowds gathered for memorial events.

Anniversary Rallies And Security Climate

Larijani’s visit coincided with rallies in the capital and across southern Lebanon to honor Nasrallah and his successor Hashem Safieddine, both killed in Israeli airstrikes last year. Organizers prepared central ceremonies in Beirut and at gravesites in the south and the Bekaa as supporters converged on symbolic locations linked to the 2024 strikes. Commemorations unfolded against a fragile calm marked by repeated ceasefire violations since late 2024, with official figures listing thousands of incidents and hundreds of casualties after the November truce. The anniversaries have become focal points for political messaging as communities mourn losses from the war’s heaviest phase.

Larijani’s Message And Political Meetings

Speaking in Beirut, Larijani framed Hezbollah as a “bulwark” and said the group “does not need weapons from anyone,” casting it as a pillar of regional deterrence. He also applauded a dialogue initiative by Hezbollah’s Naim Qassem toward Saudi Arabia, calling it “a step in the right direction,” while warning Israel against new strikes on Iran. Larijani met Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and other officials to discuss ties and regional dynamics, according to accounts of the talks shared in Beirut. The meetings underscored Tehran’s push for coordination among allies amid shifting fronts and diplomatic attempts to contain spillover.

War Legacy And Hezbollah’s Current Posture

Nasrallah’s killing on September 27, 2024, and Safieddine’s days later, marked a turning point that devastated parts of Beirut and left Lebanon grappling with reconstruction, displacement, and political strain. One year on, analysts say Hezbollah has been weakened but is regrouping, while resisting mounting calls to disarm. Local memorials, images projected on Beirut’s seaside cliffs, and large gatherings in stronghold districts reflect enduring support networks. Yet the broader security environment remains volatile, with periodic cross-border fire and the risk that any miscalculation could reignite broader confrontation.