On the brink of war: Significance of the timing of the Khamenei-Nasrallah meeting

Ali Ragab

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s media office published for the first time a picture of the meeting between the Iranian leader and Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah in the presence of Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani, at a time of increased US-Iranian tensions and accusations against Iran of being behind the attacks on Saudi Aramco facilities.

Khamenei’s media office did not disclose the date of the photograph, while some media reports indicate that Nasrallah visited Iran and met with Khomeini during the commemoration of Ashura.

Iraqi journalist Sufian al-Samarrai said in a series of tweets that the meeting between Khamenei and Nasrallah occurred just before the anniversary of Ashura, pointing out that the meeting was not only with Nasrallah, but also gathered all the leaders of sectarian militias in the region. The meeting also included Sadrist Movement leader Muqtada al-Sadr, who had previously published photos of him with the Iranian leader.

In an interview with the Iranian newspaper Mashreq on Sunday, September 22, Nasrallah revealed the most important files he discussed with Khamenei, which focused on Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon and Bahrain.

As usual, Nasrallah launched a scathing attack on Saudi Arabia, claiming that the kingdom was in its final days and that the United States would not support and protect Saudi Arabia.

Iran supports Nasrallah

Iranian affairs expert Osama Al-Hitimi said that revelations about the strength of the relationship between Nasrallah and Khamenei do not come as a surprise, as Nasrallah has repeatedly stated that Hezbollah is completely dependent on Iranian support for its funding, food, drink and clothing, and therefore he cannot conduct or make a decision without first going to the Iranian leader.

Although there is no confirmation of the date of this picture, the publication at this time undoubtedly carries strong political significance, Hitimi added. By allowing the photo to be published, the Iranian regime wants to emphasize that Iran’s involvement in any war means that all of its loyalists will also be involved in the war and aligned with Iran. Thus, such a war would not be confined to Iran and its warring parties – a message confirming what Nasrallah had said a few weeks ago.

Hitimi said that the publication of the photo also carries two other messages – the first for the Lebanon and the second for Israel. As for the Lebanese, it is a message of support for Hezbollah in a possible political conflict with the rest of the political parties in Lebanon, who are deeply disturbed by the arrogant political behavior of Hezbollah, which does not show any respect for the Lebanese state and exposes it to a lot of polemics because its movements depend on the Iranian agenda.

As for Israel, Hitimi said that Iran may want to remind the occupation leaders – against the backdrop of escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon and Syria – that Hezbollah is one of Iran’s arms and that prejudice beyond the limits of the customary game means calling Iran to take part in the conflict.

Hitimi explained that Iran is working to increase the atmosphere of tension in the region, since such an environment is suitable for Tehran to ease the pressure on the mullah regime.